It is a rare opportunity to be able to speak with walking history books and to pick the minds of photographers who are giants in their profession. Great photographs are not taken, they are made, is one of the quotes I remember from the ceremony. Mr. Finley, an Associated Press photographer, described his work to me, like a flower. It was his photographs that drew the reader to the rose. Only then could the writer have a chance to complete the flower's fragrant smell, and have the reader finish what he had come to see.

Mr. Eppridge was the photographer who photographed Robert Kennedy as he was dying from an assassin's bullet. It is this iconic photograph that the LIFE photographer took, and will always be burned into my memory.

Mr. Lawhon's widow spoke fondly and affectionately of her late husband. She described how he would often forget the name of the person in one of his photos but that he always remembered when, where and the story behind each photograph.

Both of these men have spent a lifetime being paid to do something they were passionate about and it showed in their work. How many of us can say that? Their names will someday fade from our memories, but their photographs will tell our American heritage forever. I was lucky and honored to meet these gentlemen and I would be profoundly remiss if I did not mention the hard work of Mr. Bill Miller Sr. and scores of others who put this induction ceremony together.

Missouri, and particularly the people of Washington, should be very proud as the keeper of the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame. Please take a moment to enjoy this jewel.