Maurice Roper, who has spent much of his career as an international photojournalist with NBC News, was the keynote speaker Monday night at the Oneonta Club March meeting.
Roper photographed many major hot spots in the world, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Lebanon, and Kosovo along with the genocides in Rwanda and others.
During his talk, he shared stories of being imbedded with the U.S. Marines in Fallujah, where he survived a mortar attack, noting several Marines died while he provided first aid to those he could help.
When he first arrived in Baghdad, ahead of the U.S. troops, he discovered Saddam Hussein’s private zoo that contained cheetahs and leopards.
Maurice purchased meat to keep the animals alive and worked to have animal care specialists from South Africa relocate them to Africa.
Elizabeth Kerstein, who sang American Theater music, provided entertainment for the evening.
The Oneonta Club meets the second Monday of every month at the War Memorial Building in South Pasadena.
