The picture above is an image captured during the 2008 Veteran’s Day celebration at the White House. In the picture, we see President Barack Obama hugging wounded veteran, Tammy Duckworth, who had both legs amputated from injuries sustained during the Iraq War. The targeted audience would be two-fold for this picture. It appeals to both veterans, to let them know they are not forgotten, as well as targeting the mass public to influence them into thanking their veterans for all the sacrifices made. The purpose of this message is both a celebration of Veterans Day and reminding the public that it is not just a day free of work or school, it is a day to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. President Obama is providing the ultimate message through this image. If one of the most powerful and busiest men in the world has time to thank a veteran, what is stopping the rest of the country?
The image is free of logos which prevents detracting the reader from the intent of the picture, thanking veterans. Pathos is something that plays to the audience’s emotions. This picture displays pathos because it is portraying gratitude. President Obama is being gracious to a veteran who has sacrificed herself under his orders. His face is somber and his body language displays sincerity. This reiterates the idea of remembering what Veterans Day truly is.
Ethos shows a guiding belief or a set of ideals that characterize a community. This is portrayed in the picture because of the people involved. Nothing can characterize a community more than an image of their leader, whom they defend and serve, thanking a subordinate in such a fashion. We, as Americans, should be thankful for all we have and acknowledge those who allow these freedoms.
Finally, mythos is the basic pattern of beliefs of a people. This is created the same way ethos is, for this picture. President Obama thanking a service member for their heroic actions is how our community acts and the way in which most people believe. I have been thanked numerous times for my service in the military by civilians in all lifestyles. People support our troops, not because they support the war or believe in the cause, but because they understand service members are in a hostile land fighting because it is our orders. Nowhere in my service contract did it state personal politics play a factor in deployments. Every culture and religion is represented in the military and we fight as one.
The message from this picture is clear and reverberates in society: thank your veterans for their service, and remember those who have sacrificed so much for your freedoms.
Moger, J. (11 November 2010) Picture about veterans. Original source publication: Not Forgotten. Retrieved December 2, 2011 from http://jtmoger.wordpress.com/2010/11/11/not-forgotten-2/
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