On March 13, 1973, after enduring over five years of captivity in a North Vietnamese camp, Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Stirm finally reunited with his family at Travis Air Force Base. Slava “Sal” Veder, an Associated Press photographer, immortalized this emotional moment.
‘Burst of Joy’ depicts the reunion of Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm and his family after over five years of captivity in a North Vietnamese camp.
As Stirm stepped off the plane, he was greeted by the outstretched arms of his 15-year-old daughter, Lorrie, who is in the centerpiece of the photograph, and the rest of the family is standing behind her.
The significance of “Burst of Joy” extends beyond a simple family reunion. It symbolizes the end of United States involvement in the Vietnam War and the beginning of a healing process for military personnel and their families. Despite the scars of war and personal struggles, the photograph serves as a testament to resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
When prisoners of war returned from North Vietnam to Travis Air Force Base in California, the scene was overwhelming. Although only 20 POWs were on the plane, nearly 400 family members showed up for the homecoming. Among them was United States Air Force Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm, who had spent more than five years in captivity.
Photographer Slava “Sal” Veder remembered these touching moments, sharing, “You could feel the energy and the raw emotion in the air.”
However, despite the apparent joy in the image, there was sadness behind the scenes. Just three days before this poignant reunion, Lt. Col. Stirm received a heartbreaking letter from his wife, expressing her desire for a divorce.
After returning from being a prisoner of war, Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm faced a difficult situation. His wife took a lot from him: $140,000 of his pay while he was captured, their two younger kids, their house, their car, and even 40% of his future pension. She also received $300 a month in child support.
Despite his efforts in court, he lost and had to live with his mom in San Francisco, taking care of his older kids. It seemed like he was still trapped, but this time in a different kind of prison—one of marriage.
The famous photo of his reunion with his family at Travis Air Force Base has become an iconic image of hope after the Vietnam War. But behind the smiles in the picture, there was pain.
Just three days before, Lt. Col. Stirm received a letter from his wife saying she wanted a divorce. He felt torn between the joy of seeing his children and the heartache of losing his family.
For Lorrie Stirm Kitching, looking at the picture brings mixed feelings. “We have this very nice picture of a very happy moment, but every time I look at it, I remember the families that weren’t reunited, and the ones that aren’t being reunited today — many, many families — and I think, I’m one of the lucky ones,” she shared.
Lorrie admitted, “So much had happened—there was so much that my dad missed out on—and it took a while to let him back into our lives and accept his authority.” Her parents were divorced within a year of his return.
Her mother remarried in 1974 and moved to Texas with her husband. Robert retired from the Air Force as a colonel in 1977 and worked as a corporate pilot and businessman. He married and was divorced again.