Photographer Evan Vucci of the Associated Press was going to a funeral in Arlington National Cemetery when he saw another scene to photograph. Here he describes what he found:

Fighting back tears, former Marine Adam Furr looked at me and said, “It doesn’t seem like it’s in vain anymore.”  I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve photographed burials at Arlington since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  But I’ll always remember today.  Twenty minutes before I was to photograph the burial of Marine Sgt. Sean Callahan, I saw Furr kneeling by the grave of Lt. Col. Kevin Michael Shea and relaying, to his fallen friend, the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed. When Furr heard the news he knew that a visit to Arlington was in order, to let an old friend know.

Evan Vucci / AP

Former Marine Adam Furr, of Centreville, Va., visits the grave of his friend Marine Lt. Col. Kevin Michael Shea at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, May 2, 2011.

Evan Vucci / AP

Friends of Marine Sgt. Sean Callahan, of Warrenton, Va., who was killed in Afghanistan, hug near his casket after a burial service at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, May 2, 2011.

Evan Vucci / AP

Marine Cpl. Daniel Callahan receives a flag during a burial service for his brother Marine Sgt. Sean Callahan of Warrenton, Va.,, who was killed in Afghanistan, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, May 2, 2011.

Here are some words from AP photographer Charles Dharapak about his experience covering the scene at the White House:

I shot this photo around 1:30 a.m., when thousands of people had streamed into an area in front of the White House — waving U.S. flags if they had them — following President Barack Obama’s announcement that Osama bin Laden had been killed. Revelers climbed trees and light posts and repeatedly sang the Star Spangled Banner and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. I think people felt the need to share a historic moment. I remember how hard it was to be away from home on Sept. 11, 2001 — I’m a native New Yorker, but I was on the other side of the world during that trying time, covering anti-American protests in Indonesia, Pakistan and the Middle East. Last night, I felt lucky to witness an outward display of emotion on Pennsylvania Avenue, with no sense of anger or chants of “justice served.” I sensed a feeling of collective relief that the man considered the symbol of “the enemy” had been vanquished.

Charles Dharapak / AP

Crowds celebrate on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, early Monday, May 2, 2011, after President Barack Obama announced that Osama bin Laden had been killed.

Charles Dharapak / AP

Crowds climb trees and celebrate in Lafayette Park.

Charles Dharapak/AP

Crowds celebrate on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, early Monday, May 2, 2011, after President Barack Obama announced that Osama bin Laden had been killed.