2013 Feature Picture Story
First Place: Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
A Truth and Reconciliation Commission estimated that Peru’s 1980-2000 conflict claimed nearly 70,000 lives, most of them poor, Quechua-speaking people. Some 15,000 of them disappeared. Yet fewer than 3,000 bodies have been exhumed because the country has lagged in healing the wounds of its war. The region chronicled here endured some of the worst atrocities of the conflict, in which both Maoist-inspired insurgents and security forces committed grave human rights violations. In this June 13, 2013 photo, Aquilina Cardenas, right, and her sister Luciana, look into the coffin containing the remains of their father in a forensic laboratory, in Ayacucho, Peru. Their father is one of the Chaca residents tortured and killed on Jan. 8,1988 by Shining Path militants in retaliation for forming a self-defense committee. The remains of the victims were exhumed in 2012 from a mass grave and released to family members on June 13, 2013. A mass burial was held in Chaca two days later. "War Scars"
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
In this June 15, 2013 photo, a boy attending a mass funeral looks at a row of coffins containing the remains of villagers that were killed in a 1988 massacre, in Chaca, Peru. "War Scars"
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
In this June 15, 2013 photo, villagers pray at the end of the day during an evangelical service, after attending a mass burial of other villagers slain by insurgents nearly three decades ago, in Chaca , Peru. "War Scars"
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
In this June 16, 2013 photo, Eudicia Urbano, 70, standing in front of her former home, near the spot where her husband Marcial Escalante died, weeps as she retells how he was tortured and killed by Shining Path rebels, in Chaca, Peru. "War Scars"
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
In this June 14, 2013 photo, after attending a brief memorial service marking the return of their relatives' exhumed remains, family members carry coffins containing the remains through the main square in Ayacucho, Peru, before returning to Chaca for a mass burial. "War Scars"
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
In this June 16, 2013 photo, a family eats lunch a day after a mass burial in Chaca, Peru. "War Scars"
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
This June 15, 2013 photo, shows the interior of a chapel cemetery adorned with a wooden cross, skulls, bones, and candles, in Chaca, Peru. "War Scars"
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
In this June 15, 2013 photo, relatives bearing flowers walk to the cemetery to attend a mass burial in Chaca, Peru. "War Scars"
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
This Aug. 22, 2013 photo shows a freshly dug pit, unearthed on the orders of a prosecutor in search of mass graves that contain the remains of people allegedly disappeared by Peruvian military forces, in Huancavelica, Peru. "War Scars"
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
In this June 15, 2013 photo, Eusebio Velasque mourns over the coffin containing the remains of his father Edwin Velasque during a mass burial at the local cemetery in Chaca, Peru. Velasque is one of the Chaca residents tortured and killed on Jan. 8,1988 by Shining Path militants in retaliation for forming a self-defense committee. "War Scars"
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
In this June 15, 2013 photo, Simeon Velasque, left, holds a plastic bottle filled with liquor as he sits with his wife, Aurora Saume, in Chaca, Peru. Velasque joined earlier in the day other relatives of villagers slain by insurgents nearly three decades ago to formally bury the remains the victims, including his father, exhumed last year from a common grave in the remote Ayacucho state hamlet. No state agency exists dedicated to locating and cataloguing the conflict’s estimated 15,000 disappeared. The bodies of fewer than 3,000 have been exhumed. "War Scars"
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
Second Place: David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Stephen Wilson, 68, walks onto the front porch of his home that his father built in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga., May 15, 2013. “Dad built this house with his labor. Every time I put the key in the door, I remember coming home as a child saying "hi papa, hi mama," It has a lot of remembrance.” Wilson is one of roughly 47 residents, most of them descendants of West African slaves known as Geechee, who remain on Sapelo Island, the coastal Georgia island where their ancestors were brought to work a plantation in the early 1800s. The Geechees have retained their African traditions more than other African American communities in the U.S. Once freed, the slaves were able to acquire land and created settlements on the island, of which only the tiny 464-acre Hog Hammock community still exists. Residents say a sudden tax hike, lack of jobs, and development is endangering one of the last remaining Geechee communities from Florida to North Carolina. "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Jonathan Wilson, 6, stands on the dock before boarding a ferry to the mainland to attend school from his home in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga., May 15, 2013. "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Eddie Wilson, 65, puts on his glasses while riding the ferry from the mainland to attend a church service for the 129th anniversary of St. Luke Baptist Church on Sapelo Island, Ga., June 9, 2013. "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Annie Watts, 74, left, and Stephen Wilson, 68, talk following a church service for the 129th anniversary of St. Luke Baptist Church on Sapelo Island, Ga., June 9, 2013. "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
"People not going to be able to hang on to their property," says Lula Walker. "The people don’t make that kind of money on this island." Lula Walker, 65, owner of Lula's Kitchen, sits after serving lunch to a tour group as her granddaughter Stephanie Grovner, 21, rear, helps in the kitchen in the only restaurant in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga., May 15, 2013. "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Kyle Alexander, 20, left, plays cards with Kent Grovner, right, and fellow residents in the only bar in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga., May 16, 2013. "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Jonathan Wilson, 6, plays in a garden trailer in the backyard of his home on Sapelo Island, Ga., June 9, 2013. "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Marvin Grovner, 16, shoots hoops by himself after coming home from school on the mainland to his home in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga., May 15, 2013. "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Kyle Alexander, 20, steps out while working at the Graball County Store, the only convenience store and one of the few businesses in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga., May 15, 2013. "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Jermarkest Wilson, 7, right, and Chris Bailey, 18, play with a bike along one of the main streets in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga., May 15, 2013. "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
"In 15, 20 years, I hope and pray that we’ll still be here," says Sharron Grovner standing in the backyard of her home in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga., May 16, 2013. "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Stephen Wilson, 68, walks through the forest on his property where his home that his father built stands in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga., May 15, 2013. "Dad built this house with his labor. Every time I put the key in the door coming home as a child, I remember saying "hi papa, hi mama," It has a lot of remembrance." "Saving the Geechee"
David Goldman / Associated Press
Third Place: Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Virginia is steeped in history and tradition. From the Shenandoah Valley to the Eastern Shore, each area has it's own lore and culture. Fog shrouds a farm road on Friday August 30, 2013 in Warfield, VA. "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Bill Shrieves eats at the Exmore Diner on Friday September 20, 2013 in Exmore, VA. The landmark opened in Exmore in the 1950's. "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Ivan Leyva works in a field on Friday August 30, 2013 in Warfield, VA. "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
A member of the Blue Ridge Hunt takes part in a fox hunt on Saturday September 07, 2013 in Berryville, VA. According to historians, this area of Virginia has been home to fox hunting since the mid-18th century. Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron hunted in the same area that the Blue Ridge Hunt now continues the tradition. "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Sidney Hocutt, 10, is baptized by her grandfather, Tom Hocutt as members of Richmond's First Baptist Church take part in a baptism in the James River on Sunday August 18, 2013 in Richmond, VA. "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Boo Rose steps on tobacco in a cart in a field on Friday August 30, 2013 in Warfield, VA. The land and crop is owned by third generation tobacco farmer, Neil Corum. "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Emily Dixon, center, and Tiffany Herleikson, far right, watches as Julie Snead, and Sarah Dixon, dance during the Manassas Civil War Weekend on Saturday August 24, 2013 in Manassas, VA. "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Sam Strawder, 23, takes part in the annual dove hunt at the Shady Grove Kennel and Hunting Preserve with her family on Saturday September 14, 2013 in Remington, VA. "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Thomas Howard, left, looks on as Patrick Greco, right, plays bocce ball before a college ball at the University of Virginia on Saturday August 31, 2013 in Charlottesville, VA. The University of Virginia has a tradition of members of the student body dressing up for game day. The tradition is called, "guys in ties, girls in pearls". "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Tom Egeland, Jr., left, and his brother, Jeff Egeland, right, take part in the annual dove hunt at the Shady Grove Kennel and Hunting Preserve on Saturday September 14, 2013 in Remington, VA. "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Historical interpreters, David Meisky, left to right, Alex Hughes, and Tom Maples, take part in a reenactment of a Stonewall Jackson raid during the Manassas Civil War Weekend on Saturday August 24, 2013 in Manassas, VA. "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Third Place - 2013 Feature Picture Story
Wade Petty, left, plays a fiddle as Carla Mullis, right, sings along during the Old Fiddlers' Convention at Felts Park on Thursday August 08, 2013 in Galax, VA. "The Old Dominion"
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention: John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
NOGALES, AZ - JUNE 22: U.S. Army National Guardsman Pfc. Philip Moore, 28, rests during a "down time" shift overlooking the border fence with Mexico on June 22, 2011 in Nogales, Arizona. The Pentagon recently extended the deployment of some 1,200 guardsmen who were deployed last year to assist with border security on the U.S.-Mexico border. The Obama Administration is on track to have detained and deported 2 million undocumented immigrants by the end of 2013, with more than 400,000 last year alone. Border Patrol agents on the ground coordinate with helicopters from the office of U.S. Air and Marine, making the border with Mexico a militarized zone. Agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), fly out deportees, their feet in shackles, daily to most Central American countries. Many deportees say they will try to return another day. Detain And Deport
John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
NOGALES, AZ - MARCH 08: The U.S.-Mexico border fence stretches into the countryside on March 8, 2013 near Nogales, Arizona. U.S. Border Patrol agents in Nogales say they have seen a spike in immigrants crossing into the United States from Mexico in the last week. Detain and Deport
John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
A U.S. Border Patrol agent escorts a group of undocumented immigrants into custody with helicopter support from the U.S. Office of Air and Marine on May 20, 2013 near the U.S.-Mexico border in Havana, Texas. The Rio Grande Valley area has become the busiest sector for illegal immigration on the whole U.S.-Mexico border with more than a 50 percent increase in the last year. Deport and Detain
John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
U.S. Border Patrol agent Sal De Leon stands near a section of the U.S.- Mexico border fence while stopping on patrol on April 10, 2013 in La Joya, Texas. According to the Border Patrol, undocumented immigrant crossings have increased more than 50 percent in Texas' Rio Grande Valley sector in the last year. Border Patrol agents say they have also seen an additional surge in immigrant traffic since immigration reform negotiations began this year in Washington D.C. Proposed refoms could provide a path to citizenship for many of the estimated 11 million undocumented workers living in the United States. Detain and Deport
John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
A suspected drug smuggling scout paddles his raft back across the Rio Grande into Mexico from the U.S. side of the border on May 21, 2013 near Hidalgo Texas. The Rio Grande Valley area has become the busiest sector for illegal immigration and a key drug smuggling route on the entire U.S.-Mexico border. Detain and Deport
John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
U.S. Border Patrol agent Ryan Bell looks for drug smugglers on the bank of the Rio Grande at the U.S.-Mexico border on May 21, 2013 near Hidalgo, Texas. The Rio Grande Valley area has become the busiest sector for illegal immigration on the entire U.S.-Mexico border with more than a 50 percent increase in the last year. Deport and Detain
John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
A U.S. Border Patrol agent searches in dense brush for undocumented immigrants who had crossed from Mexico into the United States on April 11, 2013 in Penitas, Texas. In the last month the Border Patrol's Rio Grande Valley sector has seen a spike in the number of immigrants crossing the river from Mexico into Texas. With more apprehensions, they have struggled to deal with overcrowding while undocumented immigrants are processed for deportation. According to the Border Patrol, undocumented immigrant crossings have increased more than 50 percent in Texas' Rio Grande Valley sector in the last year. Border Patrol agents say they have also seen an additional surge in immigrant traffic since immigration reform negotiations began this year in Washington D.C. Proposed reforms could provide a path to citizenship for many of the estimated 11 million undocumented workers living in the United States. Detain and Deport
John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
A U.S. Border Patrol canine team works with an U.S. Air and Marine agent to detain an undocumented immigrant after chasing him down near the U.S.-Mexico border on April 11, 2013 near Mission, Texas. A group of 16 immigrants from Mexico and El Salvador said they crossed the Rio Grande River from Mexico into Texas during the morning hours before they were caught. The Rio Grande Valley sector of has seen more than a 50 percent increase in illegal immigrant crossings from last year, according to the Border Patrol. Agents say they have also seen an additional surge in immigrant traffic since immigration reform negotiations began this year in Washington D.C. Proposed refoms could provide a path to citizenship for many of the estimated 11 million undocumented workers living in the United States. Detain and Deport
John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
PHOENIX - APRIL 30: Undocumented immigrants gather in the Maricopa County "Tent City Jail" on April 30, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. Some 200 undocumented immigrants are currently serving time in the facility, and most will be deported to Mexico after serving their sentence. The controversial jail is run by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has been an outspoken critic of illegal immigration and a supporter of Arizona's new tough immigration law. Prisoners at the facility are fed twice a day, sleep in non-airconditioned tents and are issued striped prison uniforms and pink undergarments to wear. Detain And Deport
John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
FLORENCE, AZ - JULY 30: A detained Mexican immigrant (L) visits with his wife and children at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility on July 30, 2010 in Florence, Arizona. Most immigrants at the center are awaiting deportation or return to their home countries, while some are interned at the facility while their immigration cases are being reviewed. Arizona holds almost 3,000 immigrants at the detention facilities in Florence and nearby Eloy. The state, which deports and returns more undocumented immigrants than any other state, is currently appealing a judge's ruling suspending controversial provisions of Arizona's immigration enforcement law SB 1070. Detain And Deport
John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 28: A Honduran immigration detainee, his feet shackled and shoes laceless as a security precaution, boards a deportation flight to San Pedro Sula, Honduras on February 28, 2013 in Mesa, Arizona. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), operates 4-5 flights per week from Mesa to Central America, deporting hundreds of undocumented immigrants detained in western states of the U.S. With the possibility of federal budget sequestration, ICE released 303 immigration detainees in the last week from detention centers throughout Arizona. More than 2,000 immigration detainees remain in ICE custody in the state. Most detainees typically remain in custody for several weeks before they are deported to their home country, while others remain for longer periods while their immigration cases work through the courts. Detain And Deport
John Moore / Getty Images
Honorable Mention - 2013 Feature Picture Story
IN FLIGHT - JUNE 24: Undocumented Guatemalan immigrant Fidel Rodriguez looks out the window before landing on a deportation flight from Mesa, Arizona on June 24, 2011 in flight to Guatemala City, Guatemala. He said he had been living in Miami for 6 years, working in construction, before he was detained by immigration officials. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, ICE, repatriates thousands of undocumented Guatemalans monthly, many of whom are caught in the controversial "Secure Communities" data-sharing program which puts local police on the frontlines of national immigration enforcement. ICE recently announced a set of adjustments to the federal program after many local communities and some states, including New York, insisted on opting out, saying immigrants were being deported for minor offenses such as traffic violations. Guatemala ranks only second to Mexico in the number of illegal immigrants living in the United States. Detain And Deport
John Moore / Getty Images