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I'm about to order books for the 2024 season and encourage all who order in quantity to let me know your plans. I need about twelve weeks to order, and proof the book, transfer funds and arrange for shipping while leaving time for a reprint or a loss so precision timing is everything. I haven't in my years printing books missed a deadline thanks to a great printer, an amazing warehouse and organized clients.
Your gifting of the books represents the values and memories you are supporting. The books will grace the coffee tables and enrich memories. This book is perfect for groups visiting and/or representing the city as it is the most complete book on DC. It's available sporadically in most bookstores and some museums in the city and in the National Park Service bookstores.
]]>Another printing of the fourth edition is due March 25th. Books have arrived and/or are ready to go for those who ordered earlyI am a small publisher and so quantity orders are gratefully accepted.
The Cherry Blossom postcard books, the DC PHOTO BOOK, and Jewel of the Mall are currently available. I am delighted the books are featured and sold at the National Archives and Eastern National bookstores. Guest Services has books in both the North and South kiosks around the Lincoln Memorial The National Archives houses our nations history. I have the good fortune to have my work both housed and used in contemporary publications by the Archives and in their bookstore simultaneously. I was contracted for Smithsonian Magazine to photograph in the vault where the Declaration of Independence is stored and displayed! You can gift these evergreen books of the price of a baseball cap and which serve as a reminder of your part in their special day of Honor. Let me remind you that it never rains in my books and it's always a perfect temperature.
The warehouse is located just outside DC and is a major upside to my business. They provide brains, brawn and strategy! They have indexed the client list for shipping and helped me set up the DC PHOTO BOOKS website and link it to the inventory. They also have a truck and make deliveries to hotels and locations in DC where conventional carriers might not have access. I have not dealt with Amazon for a long time and while you may see my books on sale listed as "new" on the Amazon site, they are not new and the few they have are priced high.
With the new warehouse, I can store sets of books for hubs who purchased for the year and ensure continuity in gifting and general operations. I plan to print the DC PHOTO BOOK (Vol 4) once this year. As I mentioned in a recent email, I'm getting old and creaky (and cranky it's been hinted.) And I am judging camera quality by weight and distance rather than megapixels.
My printer Asia Pacific Offset is incredibly inventive with all things paper and his website is a study in the printing arts. With 1400 titles a year and projects like the jewel encrusted Harry Potter Series and Paul McCartney books ("Lyrics" has sold 300,00 two volume books and is still printing), Their talents with paper have enabled me to do a variety of projects. I am inspired by their the many projects they complete every year.
South Entrance to Korean Veterans MemorialThe Korea Memorial is open and ten pages in the book
I've recommended Zenfolio to the Honor Flights primarily as an inexpensive storage website for your images. Ten years ago, I arranged for Honor Flight hubs to get a 20 percent discount and if Honor Flight Chicago traveling with several photogaphers is the norm, it was a good deal. I've taken advantage of Zenfolio's design features, eliminated the "BROWSE" and substituted a "SEARCH" box in the main menu. If I attended your event, it's catalogued by State or event name. Feel free to have a look. There are 256 plus folders devoted to Honor Flight.
If you are interested in prints, usage, or discounts get in touch with the studio to confirm the specifications and I'll be happy to work with you to size and design. I've been working with metal prints of late and getting beautiful results.
This blog is ongoing and hopefully provides context for the books and information for those of you visiting Washington. It can be accessed on any device. All photos and text are copyright Stephen R. Brown.
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]]>Jeff Miller, President of Blue Ridge and Co Founder of Honor Flight still out in the rain. It's been fifteen years since he and Earl Morse merged Honoe Flight and HonorAir and some 270,000 vets have gotten to see the Memorials.
Come on
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In 2007 Tracy Briggs from North Dakota was among the first to document groups of veterans at the WWII Memorial. She has made a documentary which is airing soon. I am looking forward to seeing her presentation which will include one of my photographs of the Memorial under construction. The image was made in Febrruary 2001 and is featured in "Jewel of the Mall."
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Honor Flights transitioning to Vietnam Veterans
Michael O'Brien, NPS volunteer at the Vietnam Wall and I were talking about the transition of Honor Flight to Vietnam Veterans and the increased ladder climbing for etchings. The National Park Service volunteers who are all Vietnam vets are like me getting to be "long in the tooth".
At Vietnam, approximately 50 percent of the names can only be reached by ladder and the rangers and volunteers are the only people allowed on the ladders so try to know where the names are. If the hubs and veterans know the location of the name beforehand, the process will go quicker. Michele Spry of Central Missouri Honor flight has worked out a very efficient process for making the etchings and I asked her to write up her process which will apply to the Korea Memorial although given the angle at which the Wall of Remembrance is built it looks as if the designers are out to discourage the process.
As you'll notice, she brings her own paper which she prints with the Missouri Honor Flight logo so it makes for a great framed piece. As soon as the flight lands Michele sets off by cab to the Vietnam Wall to make the etchings requested by Veterans and neighbors in the Central Missouri area. She has made as many as 80 etchings in two hours. I decided to ask Michelle to write up her formula for getting so many done.
Vietnam Wall EtchingNotice the Honor Flight Central Missouri logo top left
"Hey there Stephen R. Brown!
Just wanted to follow up on our conversation from Monday about what we (Central Missouri Honor Flight) do for our Vietnam Veterans. Steve Paulsell saw a need and asked me to take this on many Honor Flights ago. I love that we do this as it's just one more service we can provide for our veterans on such an emotional yet memorable day in Washington, DC. I realize not every Honor Flight operates like we do (ie: meeting our veterans at a Pre-Flight meeting, then going on the Flight and having a Welcome Home Party 2 weeks later) however I think it would be somewhat easy to incorporate into their routine if they wish to add this memorable yet honoring piece of their trip. (It would certainly help the volunteers at the wall not to become so overwhelmed with names when they all arrive!)
The form is given out to veterans and collected by Michelle.
Pre-Flight:
This is when we get to meet our veterans and go over what will take place for Flight Day. This is also where Steve announces that the 1/2 sheets of paper (see attachment - they are cut in half) on their tables are for any names that they would like looked up and etched (we call them etchings... I know this isn't correct but rubbings sound funny) we will do our best to find the names they request. Many times they know the names of the fallen and the date of their death. However, often times they may only know them by Butch Jones when their real name is Myron Jones for example (I just made that name up). There are many times it takes a little extra work to find a name... I have called High Schools to ask, looked up memorials online for a certain City and State to find a name or simply "got lucky".
Typically when I research a name I start with Google.... I will type in the name followed by Vietnam Veteran (Rodney Griffin Vietnam Veteran) and it will show me a name on the Virtual Vietnam Wall of Faces. This will allow me to get a correct spelling of the veteran. (I also have a copy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Book that is at the top of the memorial that is carried with me to Pre-Flight and Flight Day for quick reference as well). If I need additional help finding a name I will call the veteran... amazing what you can accomplish talking to them and asking questions! Once I have all the names located with correct spelling and coordinates on the wall I begin to print out my packets....
Excel Spread sheet in order from 70 West to 70 East
The packets start with a cover sheet (see attached) and then the 15-ish page packet of information on the history of the wall. (This information was pulled from the http://thewall-usa.com website) I do this to give them a little more knowledge on the wall, who designed it, how names are added and then give them some interesting statistics from the guys who were killed in action (see attached scrolling towards the back of the packet - really interesting). Then I start entering each name on the website http://thewall-usa.com and printing off what information it has about each name that was KIA. Again, just a nice touch to give them a little more detail about their brother, friend and who served with them.
As far as Honor Flights that don't meet their veterans prior to Flight Day they could simply have someone make contact or send an e-mail (most Vietnam veterans have an e-mail or spouse that has one) requesting this information ahead of time. I look up names Flight night and while on the plane and buses - as well as while we are at the wall.
After I print my packets and the names that were requested (see attachment of example) then we start adding the names to a spreadsheet (see attachment) and put them in order from 70 W to 70 E. We do this so that when I enter the wall at 70 W I can start etching (rubbing) the names without bouncing all around. It literally takes me a couple minutes per name to locate and do the etching (rubbing). The ones I can't reach I simply leave blank or put a star next to it and keep moving until I am done. Then I get a volunteer with a ladder and we begin moving in order from West panel to East panel until they are all done.
For each Honor Flight we usually get around 80-110 names (This time was much less but we still added another almost 20 names once I arrived to Flight Night - then I manually write names for lanyard). I like to think I have a smooth process. (Of course when we get to DC I immediately take off in a Uber and go to the memorial so that I can focus and get it knocked out before our group gets there)
Steve Paulsell with a ranger at the Vietnam Memorial
I forgot to mention that before we leave on Flight Night I put the coordinates of each name that our veterans request in the back of their lanyard so that when they get to the wall they have the exact location of each name they requested... if I got it prior to arriving at the wall. (Also nice that those names get to be with them the whole trip - another special touch) (You can see attachment as I cut them all into smaller pieces of paper to fit in lanyard)
Once the names are etched (rubbed) then I put them in the appropriate packets (I have a separate bag that has 9 x 12 envelopes with the print outs and just add the etchings (rubbings) on the airplane on our way home. They are separated into Red, White & Blue Buses (what bus they are traveling on) and when we land in St. Louis, MO I give these packets to the bus captain to put in a bag that each veteran receives on their way back home. This way they go home with the etching (rubbing) they requested.
Completed Packet
I hope that makes sense.... it's a lot of work but something that once you get in a groove it is pretty smooth and works great! Just wanted to find those extra special touches that makes their trip even more special. As you know, the wall can be very hot and we try to keep the guys as cool as possible. We never tell them they can't do the etching themselves but let them know it has been done (I don't let anyone add their own etchings (rubbings) to my pile as I would be afraid it wouldn't get to the right person - most will take pictures, spend time at the name and sometimes leave something for that veteran.
Most of the time it takes me 1.5 - 2 hours to complete.... mainly depends on how many I can reach (we talked about that) and how many I need the volunteers for."
**In addition to her work with Central Missouri Honor Flight, Michele is an author of two children's books, a community and business activist and recently brought two World War II veterans together as well as the Corsair they flew during World War II.**
The MILITARY WOMENS MEMORIAL formerly WIMSA (WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE TO AMERICA) has been rebranded and the name updated in the 4th edition of the DC PHOTO BOOK. The Memorial blends into the cemetery’s overall facade and is quite literally placed into the Arlington Heights. The interior has sweeping forty foot ceilings with enormous skylights which blow quite a bit of light into the interior and cast shadow quotes on the Walls. Below you can see an exhibit of WWII MEMORIAL prints which were there a decade ago. At the time, you could drive up to the Memorial which was quite a thrill.
Don’t forget to take a stroll on the roof terrace. The elevators are adjacent to the bookstore and if the elevators are out of service there are steps on the sides of the Memorial. DC PHOTO BOOK is the only book on Washington, DC that covers the Women in Military Service to America.
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My nephew Dan resurrected this recording he made some twenty years ago of my father's experiences during WWII. Like most WWII veterans, he is modest about his five year "vacation". He joined the Naval Reserve a year before the war, was switched into the regular Navy (October 1940) and sent to Philadelphia where he trained. The ships he eventually sailed on were reconfigured at the Sun Oil shipyards in Chester, Pa. to deliver oil to Pearl Harbor. Those same Sun shipyards in Chester, Pennsylvania became Laran Bronze Foundry where the eagles and much of the bronze work was created for the WWII Memorial. Parts of the Laran building were filled with old ship templates.
He volunteered for the newly formed Naval Air Service and was sent to Natal, Brazil to work on and fly in PBY Submarine Hunters. All of our soldiers and sailors were given two salaries: one salary went home and the other they were encouraged to spend in Brazil to keep the economy sound. He joked that if nothing else, he learned to dance and sail during his time in Brazil. A number of his squardron's PBY planes were lost to submarine activity along the Eastern Coast of South America.
He did not live to see the WWII Memorial but enthusiastic in all things, he would have been down at the site supervising the construction. There were a number of WWII Veterans who parked themselves near the construction site to watch. When the eagles were still on the ground, I had the opportunity to write his name and service location on the inside of the Eagle. This is the internal structure of the Eagle on the Southwest side of the Pacific Arch. This photo is in the WWII Memorial Book.
WWII MemorialMy father's name, aircraft type and service imprinted on the steel of the SouthWestern eagle on the Pacific side of the Mall.
*this works on a desktop machine but not on a portable device"
The new Eisenhower Memorial like every public artwork saw its share of controversy with the renowned architect Frank Gehry flipping off Senators, giving public lectures on his point of view and on the other side, the aggrieved Eisenhower family trying to change the plans. I have no idea what the beef was but the Memorial fits nicely in the new edition. My first campaign pin said "I like Ike". It still rings a bell.
I am fond of the images and happy I include the Capitol in the bottom right image. The statue of Eisenhower as a youth (top of page) is worth the visit alone as it is one of the most beautiful and romanticized sculptures I have seen.
The books arrived in Baltimore a month early. I just checked the Marine Traffic app to see our ship (the SEAQUEST) sailed through the Panama Canal and cut our time by a couple of weeks. I love the idea of photographing, processing images, and designing a book that is both useful and beautiful. And printing books in Asia with artisans who can do anything with paper is magic....Shipping News.
I am indebted to Asia Pacific Offset for managing to not only do magic with paper but deliver it! My books may be traveling on the same ship as Paul McCartney's new LYRICS book which has the lyrics to "Hey Jude" embossed into the cover. APO just finished printing 300,000 books of the ten pound books. I saw a signed copy for $20,000.00 on Ebay. With the embossing and sheer weight and size, it looks like the ten commandments of rock and roll....and of course it is. I'm amazed.
IMG_9156 SPIKE LEE'S NEW MEMOIR BOOK
FOURTH EDITION "DC PHOTO BOOK" HIGHLIGHTS
I've encountered more than a few special moments traveling around the Mall with Honor Flight hubs. In the Arlington Cemetery section of the book, I used this picture from a Stars and Stripes flight. I am happy that I had a few trips around the Mall allowed me an idea of the depth and importance of the Honor Flight experience. Both Missouri and Chicago have always had a two-page spread.
HONOR FLIGHTA Stars and Stripes Veteran was given a special few moments with his nephew. Paula Nelson of Stars and Stripes allowed me along for this special and reverential moment.
When the WWII Memorial was just completed and not opened, we were wondering how we would get these WWII veterans to their Memorial. Along came Honor Flight and I use these images to show the power and generosity of the American people. Over 120 Honor hubs have moved 250,000 veterans and as many guardians. Touring Washington (and I live here for this reason) is an eye-opening and optimistic experience. It's important to our national unity. It's also fun!
Jim Fisher Director of the Korea War Veterans Memorial gave me a tour of the construction at the Korea Memorial which is due to open in July. When finished it should feel and look essentially the same with the concentration still on the platoon and the big addition of a "Wall of Remembrance"--names of the Fallen which will be placed in a circle around the original pool and trees. It will be more interesting and accessible with the Wall of Names and new entrances and walkways. I got a look at the construction site and the new wall of names with the next printing.
Wall of RemembranceNames of both South Korean and U.S. soldiers killed in the Korean War are engraved in the Wall
Some screenshots from the fourth edition which will be hardcover and 160 pages retailing at $39.95. They will be sold and distributed through DC PHOTO BOOKS which is connected to the warehouse! I sent out an email to my quantity clients with the discount code on April 2, 2022.
There is already a sale going on on the single books and you can get twenty percent off by typing in "kilroy" as you fill out the shipping information on the website. This information goes to directly to the warehouse which ships usually same day. The warehouse is in touch with ever changing shipping prices and aims to achieve the lowest price. They have been excellent advisors regarding shipping and are sympathetic to small enterprises.
Frederick Douglas Memorial BridgeThe graceful lines of the new bridge lead you right to the Riverfront and Maine Street areas of the city.
The Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge is finished and in the book. The bridge visually pulls together the Capitol Riverfront and Anacostia neighborhood which is growing at a rapid rate. I also managed to squeeze some pans of the Channel area which used to be an old fish market and is now a glitzy waterfront and a restored marina complete with real life Senators! It's so nice that the War College feels threatened by daily leisure boat traffic. Now I'm thinking since the Officers Club is right on the waterfront, this may be a matter of stomachs rather than security.
I have two pages of images of the new Dwight Eisenhower Memorial across from the Air and Space Museum. Like most of DC's statuary, it had its ups and downs and drama with architect Frank Gehry squaring off with Congress (great television!), the Eisenhower family in opposition and Senator Dole working as a mediator. I like the photographs so have no opinion. The statue of Eisenhower as a youth (below/top left) is worth the visit as it is one of the most beautiful sculptures I have seen.
Dwight D. Eisenhower MemorialAs always, conflict of opinion (which we already have too much of in this town) surrounded this Memorial .
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On the right of the menu bar, you will find a box in which to input your photo query and can browse through the files. There are several hundred folders devoted to Honor Flight and a testament to optimism and the desire to do good and the joy that comes of that.
Here's a bit of Chicago.
]]>Blue Ridge Honor Flight visits the Vietnam Memorial.
Perhaps the most controversial General to manage the Vietnam War. General William Westmoreland was a United States Army General who served as the Commander of American military operations from 1964 to 1968. He was known for his leadership during the conflict, and for his controversial decisions and statements. After retiring from the military, he continued to be involved in public life and passed away in 2005.
The contact sheet below is my wife's cousin Raymond who dropped out of college and was immediately scooped up and sent to Vietnam where he was wounded, recovered in Australia and sent back to Vietnam where he was wounded again. Upon returning, he didn't speak of it the experience and formed a very successful company. He passed a couple of years ago and a family member sent these images of him taken in Vietnam.
Like every DC based photographer, the Cherry Blossoms are Washington's great festival and a sign that Winter is done....we hope! As a multi year veteran of the Blossom Madness with access to a first rate printer, I publish a postcard book of Cherry Blossom images which are currently available at the White House Gift Shops and the National Mall stores. The images are unique in that they were made with a camera modified to the infrared spectrum of light. This makes for a rich visual experience through a hipcolor spectrum...a study in color! The cover of the book is printed on Linen stock while the individual cards are printed on a flat textured paper stock and detachable and legally mailable. It's an example of paper magic and the one of the reasons for printing my own material.
CHERRY BLOSSOM POSTCARD BOOK-- PRINTERS VERSIONA BESPOKE LOOK AT THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS AT THEIR PEAK AND AND IN INFRARED COLOR.
You can preview some of the images achieved using the modified camera
CHERRY BLOSSOMSThirty 4x6 color postcards
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I've had more than a few special moments traveling around the Mall with Honor Flight hubs. In the Arlington Cemetery section of the book, I used this picture from a Stars and Stripes flight as an example of the emotional impact these trips are capable of evoking. This veteran from Wisconsin was able to take a little side trip to visit his nephew's gravesite.
HONOR FLIGHTA Stars and Stripes Veteran was given a special few moments with his nephew. Paula Nelson of Stars and Stripes allowed me along for this special and reverential moment.
When the WWII Memorial was just completed , we wondered if it was built too late to get WWII veterans to their Memorial. Along came Honor Flight made of 129 hubs spread across the country in forty two states. Honor Flight Chicago (left below) just completed its 100th flight to DC. Honor hubs have moved 250,000 veterans and as many guardians. There will be a celebration of the event on May 2.
Jim Fisher Director of the Korea War Veterans Memorial gave me a tour of the construction at the Memorial which is due to open in July. When finished it should feel and look essentially the same with the concentration still on the platoon and the big addition a "Wall of Remembrance"--names of the Fallen which will be placed in a circle around the original pool and trees. It will be more interesting and accessible with the Wall of Names and new entrances and walkways. I got a look at the construction site and the new wall of names with the next printing.
Wall of RemembranceNames of both South Korean and U.S. soldiers killed in the Korean War are engraved in the Wall
The fourth edition will be hardcover and 160 pages retailing at $39.95. They will be sold and distributed through DC PHOTO BOOKS which is connected to the warehouse! I sent out an email to my quantity clients with the discount code on April 2, 2022.
There is already a sale going on on the single books and you can get twenty percent off by typing in "kilroy" as you fill out the shipping information on the website. This information goes to directly to the warehouse which ships usually same day. The warehouse is in touch with ever changing shipping prices and aims to achieve the lowest price. They have been excellent advisors regarding shipping and are sympathetic to small enterprises.
Frederick Douglas Memorial BridgeThe graceful lines of the new bridge lead you right to the Riverfront and Maine Street areas of the city.
The Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge is finished and in the book. The bridge visually pulls together the Capitol Riverfront and Anacostia neighborhood which is growing at a rapid rate. I also managed to squeeze some pans of the Channel area which used to be an old fish market and is now a glitzy waterfront and a restored marina complete with real life Senators! It's so nice that the War College feels threatened by daily leisure boat traffic. Now I'm thinking since the Officers Club is right on the waterfront, this may be a matter of stomachs rather than security.
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Image 1-6-21 at 10.00 PMRonald Reagan's Inauguration from the United States Park Police Helicopter. The first held on the West side of the Capitol, it is currently on lockdown thanks to outgoing garbage head of a President. Worst ever!!!!
The East Capitol got an enormous and beautifully done renovation to make it easy for tourists to visit.
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]]>The first story I published was for the Washington Post "Sports Two" section in 1976. My wife and I talked our way on a bus with bikes to Cumberland, Maryland. We had a couple of flat tires but managed the 184 mile trip in four days staying at motels along the way. The Canal is much talked about these days as it is being drained for maintainance. This image is one of the original boats drawn by mules....a messy business!
The Canal was a project set in motion by George Washington. He saw it as the Nation’s Gateway to the West. It stretches up to Cumberland, Maryland and I have done the trip by bicycle (The Washington Post) and by car (National Geographic Traveler). Ironically, by time the Canal was finished, the majority of the cargo carried was coal for the train which ran parallel to it and quickly put it out of business. This image was taken on Kodachrome and scanned around 2000.
In the early fifties, there was talk of turning the Canal into a highway. Thankfully, Justice Douglas took up the cause and walked the entire length a couple of times (challenging reporters to do the same). He eventually brought enough publicity and public pressure to put it under the protection of the National Park Service. It’s 184 miles and has little elevation so worth a few days. There are six pages devoted to the Georgetown stretch of the Canal in DC PHOTO BOOK. The stonework and masonry are more elaborate and ornamental near DC. It's an ambitious project and a great three or four day bike ride.
The post DC PHOTO BOOK: The C&O Canal appeared first on Stephen Brown Studio.
]]>The Martin Luther King Memorial was just finishing when I made this image. It was a rush as the book was at the printer and the presses were rumbling. I made the image and had to edit out some of the scaffolding which hadn't been removed and shipped it within the hour. It's a beautiful work and I am happy to have had the opportunity to chat with members of the King Family and gotten their support.
]]>I will be re-ordering so please make your wishes known regarding numbers of veterans. At the moment, it's fair to say that this is the definitive book on DC and packaged for ease of distribution. I am happy and proud to have developed this collection over the past forty years (some of the Georgetown pics go back to 1976) and been able to get the short run printing and new photographs included as the Mall changes. A veteran from Oregon called yesterday and complimented me on the book. That in itself was delightful. He told me that the book covered all the things and places he had gone on his Honor Flight and he was buying a copy for his son who had been his guardian. It doesn't get much better than that! There is a natural flow around the Mall and I have tried to flow with it.
These books are all approved by the National Park Service and are elegant, accurate and beautiful. They are one of kind creations which have made visitors and residents proud "Insiders." The postcard books have been successful and limited only by my time advertising and distributing them.
Postcard Collections:Thirty eight postcards make up this set on the National Mall.
Postcard Collections:Cherry Blossom postcards: thirty to a pack
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I called Paula Nelson and managed to get a ride and shared my images with all the parties involved. I needed more homecoming images as I had flown with Chicago almost ten years ago and needed another home coming for my long term easy on Honor Flight's volunteerism.
I arrived in Green Bay the night before the flight and was met by an eager group of volunteers who I photographed at Lambeau Field--Wisconsin's Field of Dreams! While all the volunteers are long time Stars and Stripes veterans, this was a new airport and a new organization. Two hundred plus veterans and guardians had to be registered for the flight, served breakfast, flown to DC, toured about and then greeted by five thousand plus people that night. Who's in Charge?...Paula Nelson.
In Milwaukee, there were two more flights loading up. Stars and Stripes is known for "going big" and in the past filled a stadium with fifty thousand people for an Honor Flight event and routinely flies the largest groups of veterans.
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FLIGHT TIMEAt 4AM, a planeload of veterans lines up for registration for their Day of Honor.
After a good breakfast, as the veterans and guardians board the plane and as they do, VIP Photography takes pictures which in addition to their use for security and advertising also serve the veterans for their everyday photo use. Not many of us has a professional picture in these days of iPhones. VIP has been an important patron of Stars and Stripes as they professionally take and archive the photos from each flight.
After the Pledge of Allegiance and some words from local civic leaders, we were off and started our flight with a water cannon salute. Packers alumni Jared Abbrederis, LeRoy Butler, Jarrett Bush, Johnnie Gray and Bill Schroeder were on the flight and no sooner were we airborne than they were shaking hands, signing autographs and bantering with veterans.
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I was seated right across from Leroy Butler, the originator of the Lambeau Leap and the original Mr. Nice Guy. He and the other players participated fully in the day available at any moment to chat, shake hands and sign everything from t-shirts to hats. And having spent the day with LeRoy, it was hard to believe his ferocious reputation on the field!
LeRoy ButlerHe played in 181 games, earned a Super Bowl ring, for Super Bowl XXXI, following the 1996 season, was selected as an All-Pro four times and was selected to the Pro Bowl four times (1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998). He was named to the 1990s NFL All Decade Team, by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and was later inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, in 2007.
On November 6, 1997, the Green Bay Packers signed Butler to a five-year, $15 million contract extension that includes a signing bonus of $5 million.[5]
On October 7, 1999, the Green Bay Packers signed Butler to a three-year, $21.50 million contract extension that includes a signing bonus of $1.63 million.[6]
The enlarged and roomier layout of the newly reopened Korea Memorial allows you to spread out and appreciate the Korean War and the sacrifices made. According to the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation, the Wall of Remembrance features the names of 29,857 U.S. soldiers, 4,522 U.S. Marines, 668 U.S. sailors, 1,587 U.S. airmen, and 7,174 Korean augmentees to the U.S. Army. A total of 43,808 names appears on the wall. Pat Babler of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides sent a note around that the National Park Service is asking everyone to let visitors know that the Korea is not meant for rubbings. They are encouraging photos rather than rubbings/etchings in these days of cell phones. As I mentioned, the onslaught of Honor Flights at the Vietnam Memorial has overwhelmed the volunteers.
There are new entrances to the Memorial located on the North and South sides of the Memorial and leading into the Wall of Remembrance. The changes -- not to ignore the Wall of Remembrance-- are more of convenience and depth of experience. The Squadron's weary figures still dominate the site and I was able to get a bit of the new type in the Fouth Edition of the DC PHOTO BOOK.
Korean War Memorial Korean War Memorial Korean War Memorial
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Honor Flight ChicagoMid afternoon, it gets hot on the Mall so line 'em up and get that photo in ten minutes or less.
Every group photo on the Mall requires planning. When you are trying to line up 100 to 200 people in front of you and move all the bystanders out of the way, it's no time to be using a new camera. Practice...I use the local baseball field. I'll share a few locations with you and some of the difficulties working on the Mall. For groups like Honor Flight, I have preached bringing your local photogapher along. When you arrive home, you'd be surprised how many people, and the circle of distribution and reach your local photographer probably has. My standard camera is a Canon GX7, recently a Canon M6 and when I'm feeling athletic a Nikon D850. The camera is for the most part irrelevant as long as its over 24 megs. You also want extra charged batteries.
You need to decide before you arrive in DC where you are going to take the group photograph and an alternative location. I also advocate wide angle photos with instantly recognizable backgrounds. You will be raising funds and you don't want potential donors guessing what you are doing.
You will want to be passing these images along to the next group of volunteers so use a stable storage platform (I use Zenfolio for online storage and distribution). Images are extraordinarily valuable fund raising tools. If you see me, I am photographing history and revising my books. If I happen to photograph your group and give you permission to use the image, it's because I believe that Honor Flight will have a long historical life as the care shown for our elderly through this program transcends any political belief. I do expect us to transact in writing your usage. I copyright everything. You should too. You can do a group registration electronically for about forty bucks.
You need to plan your photograph and ask the guardians to get the veterans to the restroom and on site at a specific time. This photo and the one above only took fifteen minutes from setup to completion. It was successful because I had a week to plan and worked with hubs leaders and guardians to POLITELY move the pedestrians and onlookers out of the way so that EVERYONE taking the photo got the photo and every one of the veterans was in the photo. I had a brief 30 seconds to move in and take this photograph.
There are fifty to three hundred and fifty people in the these photographs. Fortune favors the prepared! Fortune also favors the photographer and group that get this important photo done quickly as leaving the elderly in the DC sun or rain while you adjust the balance of the picture should be a crime. And if there's a straggler, photoshop him or her in later.
Honor Flight “hubs” visit the Memorial when conditions are difficult for photography. The sun is high and casts a shadow in the eye sockets making everyone look a bit like a panda. To remedy this “panda syndrome,” I adjust my camera so the small flash always fires. While that tiny flash on your camera won’t light up the mall, it will fill in the shadows caused by a baseball cap. Read the camera manual and learn how to set your flash so it fires each time.
It’s called “forced flash.” Practice standing about six feet away from your subjects so the flash fills in the facial area but doesn’t look unnatural or overpower the scene. “Forcing the flash” requires an extra battery and a bit of patience as the flash has to recycle between photos. You should expect the delay and keep your subjects distracted while the flash is recycling. In the photograph below, even though Colin Powell and I were throwing shadows on the veterans he’s shaking hands with, the small flash filled in the areas and opened up the shadows caused by their baseball caps. It’s such a small burst of light that it’s not noticeable…. unless it isn’t there!
These sample images might help you decide in advance where you want to take your group photographs. The location is often decided by the size of your group. Some groups try to form up by their state column but the group has to be small. Most of the state column areas are narrow and you need some room for group photos. The state columns are best left I think for photos of individuals. The more room you have, the faster you can get it done.
My favorite location for group photography is in the center of the Memorial just in front of the Memorial. It gives you a great choice of the Lincoln, the Atlantic or Pacific arches for background and room to spread out. Honor Flight Chicago travels with one hundred veterans plus guardians. Professional photographer John Bonk does all their individual and group photographs and edits some 5000 images per trip.
I made some images which shows the many elements (buglers, singers, honor guard, floral arrangements, etc…) which go into Chicago’s ceremonies. As you can see in the picture below, Chicago is not short on cameras! The morning of departure, John also takes portrait photographs of the veterans for identification while on the road and as a gift to the elderly veterans who usually don’t have a good professional photograph. Chicago now travels with at least one professional and four or five guardians who wear the blue shirt for photographers.
Panoramas…You don’t need a specialized camera
To accomplish the photo below, I took six frames by walking in front of the veterans and photographing at equidistant points. I then stripped the images together in a program called Arcsoft Panorama. The result is an enormously big image which can be blown up to show each veteran clearly. I then went back to my studio and uploaded it to Costco in the Chicago area where it was brought to the airport and distributed to the veterans when they arrived. Neat trick! As I understand it, one of Honor Flight Chicago’s volunteers runs a taxi service which dispatches a cab to Costco and to the airport where it is dropped into the Veterans “goody bags.”
In the contact sheet (below), you can see that I separate the sequences of pan images by photographing my hand just before I take each sequence. This allows me to see where the pans start when I am putting them together in Photoshop or Arcsoft software programs. Arcsoft is inexpensive and very capable. Adobe is also very capable but “expensive”! These software programs turn any camera into an incredibly versatile machine capable of competing with the most expensive DSLR cameras.
The photographs below of Canton Akron’s 2011 flight were used by Smuckers Corporation (their corporate sponsor) for an annual report. I had originally planned on making the image with the Lincoln in the background but because of an unplanned marching band, had to quickly relocate to the Atlantic side of the Plaza. From the side of the Memorial, it took a few minutes to pose the hundred veterans and get them all in the picture but it worked. Using the Atlantic ramp for height gave me a better view of the veterans. I managed (just barely) to get everyone in one frame. Obviously, the composition isn’t everything I hope for but it went to press! As it was all going on, I also took a series of panoramic frames that were ready to be stripped together in a panorama if we couldn’t squeeze everyone in.
When I make these group photographs, I always take one photograph of the veterans alone and then another with all of the volunteers. While we are assembling the group photo, I ask the volunteers to take close up pictures of the vets with their cameras and then ask everyone to step back. This is where everyone has to cooperate. It is a critical time as the veterans are out in the sun (or rain) so make sure that the guardians are ready to get behind the principal photographer. As wonderful as capturing these moments are, they are not worth discomfiting the veterans.
The Wall of Stars is another particularly good place for small groups as is illustrated by this photo of Rhode Island’s first trip. As always, I used the small flash on my camera to throw some light into the shadows caused by the visors of the Vets ball caps. If the group is too big, you will end up backing into the fountains to accomodate them. And if this occurs, go for the panoramic mode. My Canon camera even has a “stitch assist” mode. Some of the Sony cameras only need to swept across the scene and they put the pans together. It's an amazing world.
Homeland Drive is the most difficult place to make group images. If you have more than twenty vets, they won’t comfortably fit into the area with the Pacific Arch as a background. When Senators Dole (I feel he's still there actually) and others are there, you’ll be hard pressed to find any room to make an image. I have been forced to used the benches right along Homeland Drive to photograph but it’s always proves difficult to get a clear photograph. If you get caught having to make a group shot in this area, you might want to consider making a three shot panorama. Again, I start left to right and photograph my hand before I begin the sequence. You should overlap by 40 percent in each panoramic frame. You will be amazed as you watch the software make a seamless image out of several single files!
****I use a Canon S100 which is a sophisticated “point and shoot” camera with very wide angle capabilities (24mm to 120mm). Any camera similar to this with 24 or more megapixels is sufficient for any photography you need to accomplish.
If you like panoramas and you have some spare time, you’ll find the WWII Memorial is wonderful place to practice your photography. Notice that the curves of the Memorial mimic the distortion of the panorama so it’s particularly appropriate for the subject matter. Here are some more samples! See you on the Mall!
]]>The Military Women's Memorial, formerly “Women in Military Service” is open for business. The new foundation head is CWS Phyllis J. Wilson. Donna Houle, friend and former director, was promoted up the hill and the new Director of the Memorial itself is Cathleen Pearl. The Memorial is getting a lot of attention this year. Going back ten years Columbus HF did a special flight for women and most groups stop and take a picture of their women vets. I was doing a book display at the Memorial the other day and Honor Air of Tennessee showed up with 100 women and two WWII vets.
While I have long enthused about the views from the terrace level, Honor Flight Columbus is using the terrace for their dinners at the end of the day. There couldn't be a better-- spot other than the Air Force Memorial which will soon be closed.--so you might want to make arrangements. I had ninety prints on display at the Women's Memorial for about 18 months so have spent a lot of quality time there. A good portion of the roof is skylight with etched letters so It became my" office" for that period.
Central Missouri Honor Flights
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Eastern National, the bookselling arm of the National Park Service just put my CHERRY BLOSSOM and the DC PHOTO BOOK into the Rock Creek house in the heart of Georgetown where they are available. Selling on the Mall requires flexibility and low storage costs as the cost of real estate is outta sight!
There is an app for the 55,000 names on the Vietnam Memorial which allows you to look up the location of names on the Wall. There is a website for the names on the Korean Memorial "Wall of Remembrance" although it is designed to discourage rubbings but like the WWII Memorial, people will do what they do. Some of the hubs like Central Missouri do etchings as requested by folks at home who couldn't make the trip and have made up custom paper with their imprint. The etchings look spectacular and I asked Michelle Sprye of Missouri to write up a piece on producing these etching.
You've heard DC referred to as the swamp and so it really is. All of our monuments and memorials are sinking! Consistency and small print jobs on an annual basis help overcome the difficulty of doing an "up to date" book on a group of buildings that seem to be in an endless rotation of construction. Apparently the basement of the Lincoln is undergoing major reconstruction and will be accessible sometime in the future....
The Park Police have a new stable located between the WWII and the Korea. I predict it will be a major attraction. A long time ago...and far away...I did a story for National Geographic Children's World on how they train the horses. I look forward to perhaps a repeat. Below is a photograph of Blue Ridge Honor flight scheduled to fly soon. It is lead by Jeff Miller who along with Earl Morse founded the Honor Flight Network.
Blue RidgeBlue Ridge Honor Flight at the LIncoln which will soon be closed so don't be planning on this angle for images!
]]>Most Honor Flights visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and are one of the few groups allowed to bring a bus into the cemetery. If you've ever missed the bus, it's quite a hike and Cemetery is showing great respect for Honor Flight and its mission. I have joined Central Missouri Honor Flight several times and always with good result!
A Caisson circles the auditorium at Arlington. Normally the President will make his Memorial Day speech there.
]]>"...to use the image once to depict Senator Dole in a display that shows all of the people of who lain in state or honor in the Capitol...."
For the fourth edition of DC PHOTO BOOK, I made images of the new Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge and adjacent waterways. Maine Avenue (the Channel) and the Southeast areas were run down until the stadium was built and a focused group of builders set loose on the city. Now, we have Congressman and Senators living on boats and the Maine Avenue Channel has become so popular with boaters that the military is trying to limit civilian access to the waterway which not so surprisingly enough is where the Officers Club is. Leaves a long-time Washingtonian to ask..."is that about national security or the Officers Club?"
On the North side of the bridge, we have "Capitol Riverfront" as its known. Twenty years ago, the area was composed of derelict garages and run down buildings (see page 155) and is now an architectural free for all (below). Looks like all the architects...freed from height restrictions and encouraged by the city...went crazy. I began the third chapter of the book entitled THE NEW DC with the bridge as it symbolizes a new bold DC seeking but never achieving a vote.
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I thought it was an excellent book on the WW11 Memorial.I received a copy when I went on my Honor Flight in September 2015. The one I ordered I sent to my wifes Uncle,he is unable to go on an Honor Flight and he is a hero of WW11 receiving a Silver Star and A Bronze Star in Europe. Thank you for sending it to me.it arrived in great shape.
I thought it was an excellent book on the WW11 Memorial.I recieved a copy when I went on my Honor Flight in September 2015.The one I ordered I sent to my wifes Uncle,he is unable to go on an Honor Flight and he is a hero of WW11 receiving a Silver Star and A Bronze Star in Europe. Thank you for sending it to me.it arrived in great shape.
Verified Purchase
My father a WWII vet was able to go on the Vets Roll trip of 2015 to see the monuments in D.C. after he returned I saw a copy of this book and was thrilled when I found it here. Best buy ever!
Verified Purchase
This is a lovely book, but not as I expected. I had bought this for an elderly WWII vet and the inscriptions aren't written so he can read them. It does have a lot of nice photos.
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
Bought this book for my Dad on his return from Honor Flight ... he loves it.
This is an outstanding book on the WWII Memorial...the photographs and writing show that the WWII is alive a is truly the "Jewel on the Mall" in Washington, DC. I have give this as gifts to WWII Veterans that I know.
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
So impressed with our World War II Veterans and their service--a wonderful remembrance for any of them who make a visit to the Memorial--perhaps with an Honor Flight group
I was there frequently for World War II events and as the Honor Flights started rolling in. I began to get some pictures of the Memorial with ....Theresa Werner and her dancers, Dave Nichols and the Allied Airmen, George Kerestes, energetic hub leaders like Mary Petinato and record setting fund raisers and stadium filling doers like Stars and Stripes began showing up. The White House News Photographers showed interest and newspapers and magazines began to do pieces on Honor Flight and the newly built World War II Memorial.
My enthusiasm for the program is evidenced in the newly designed 98 pages which I have put up. I began my career as a photogapher and writer for Time Life Books which was in the late 70's and 80's a going concern and a great place to learn to put books together. As I have often said..."better than working." We are on the planet for a short time and honoring our elderly is a noble cause.
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REMEMBERING BOB DOLEINSTAGRAM
]]>The funeral of Senator Robert Dole. I was originally invited as a guest but I asked to go as a photographer. He and I spent a lot of time hanging out at the WWII Memorial and so it meant quite a bit personally to see him off as a photographer. Occasionally I'd get a particularly nice image and his daughter Robin would send me a note. He was a handsome guy with an easy smile. He put out the effort to shake hands with veterans so I tried to post the images so those mostly veterans who didn't have a camera could download them. I tried as much as possible to use their cameras.
He's certainly been given a spot with a nice view... from one angle, you can see the Capitol. I'd like to thank the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the Cemetery staff for your help. Mrs. Dole giving Bob a peck is the first image I've included in this series as she took great care of him and modeled her organization after her experience caring for him.
Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley
Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley
Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley
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Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley
Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley
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Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley Senator Robert Dole's funeral.Robin Dole with General Milley _DSC0404 _DSC0313 DSC00427
#rememberingnbobdole
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He was a Senator and Presidential candidate who saw the world clearly. Long after he left the Senate and ran for the Presidency, an issue would be solved, a law changed.... I took a certain pride in knowing the guy who made that stuff happen. He took great pleasure in progress and worked for change in agriculture, education and healthcare....and of course veterans benefits. I got to know him better when I starting documenting the WWII Memorial in 2001-2004. He supported my being on the construction site and wrote the introduction to the book. He then encouraged my participation in Honor Flight and from then on we saw a lot of each other!
I was the only photographer present when he invited all the Senators and Congressmen who were WWII veterans to lunch in April 2004 at the World War II Memorial a week before it was opened. It was a beautiful Spring day and we sat in the warm sun on the plaza and they told jokes. I suppose it was his way of thanking them for their service and also for the site location which was a hotly debated subject. He knew the real cost of war and was a sensible force.
And yes...He would come down to the Memorial for most of a day and often. He enjoyed chatting and would sit with veterans all day long if he could...and he did!
I'll miss you Bob.
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Senator Robert Dole's life was celebrated at the National Cathedral today. President Biden spoke about his thirty year working relationship with Dole. After the funeral, the motorcade sped down to the WWII Memorial where Milley, Tom Hanks and Mrs. Dole spoke.
Dave Nichols and I quite literally "missed the bus" to the WWII Memorial and so we ended up stuck in the Northwest in an amazing traffic jam. So we decided to make a nice lunch of it on a Friday afternoon and reminisce about Senator Dole and Honor Flight. Honor Flight was mentioned by almost every speaker at the ceremony so Senator Dole had been spreading the word in powerful places. He liked making things happen and considered any effort necessary to achieve his goals a pleasure rather than a chore.
I grabbed a couple of snaps of Dave Nichols and Carol Harlow.
The "Kleenex Box on the Hudson" is extending itself outdoors with a new section called "The Reach". Here a sculptural piece by Joel Shapiro called "Blue" is on display in the informal outdoor area.
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After making a few group pictures with Stars and Stripes at the Iwo, we headed over to the Air Force Memorial. I wandered and watched VIP Photography's Angela Wangrud do an amazing job of documenting this rich history we are making. Her company VIP supplies several photographers and then archives the images for the veteran and their family.
Iwo Jima Memorial Stars and Stripes
Tara ElizabethTara was delighted to be out on such a beautiful day and supporting Honor Flight Syracuse. DFW VeteransDFW Veterans reading the "stats" on Iwo Jima.
AIR FORCE MEMORIALStars and Stripes Honor Flight enters the Air Force Memorial.
FATHER AND DAUGHTER AT AF MEMORIAL Sue TripodiSue Tripodi drives down from New Jersey to greet and act as a guardian for Honor Flights. Stars and Stripes Air Force Vets at the Air Force Memorial Stars and Stripes Interview Air Force Memorial Honor Flight Syracuse
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When visiting Arlington Cemetery, respect the sacrifice!
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Next stop was the WWII Memorial which I always recommend for group photos because it is surrounded by symbolism and your veteran and sponsor will always have a reminder of the history involved.
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From there to the Korea, Lincoln and Vietnam where the veterans spread out. I was enjoying an ice cream bar and conversation with a couple of the veterans when the skies opened up. Wow! Lightning, Thunder, flooding ...the works but no match for the well-prepared which I was not.
]]>The Military Womens Memorial for 9.11 ceremonies concluded a 177 mile run to preserve the memory of the 177 servicewomen who laid down their lives in response to 9.11. The run concluded at the gates to the Cemetery where CWS Phyllis J. Wilson, the new Foundation President gave a speech to the assembled group. Ms. Karen Durham-Aguilera, Executive Director of Army Cemeteries spoke followed by Alan Wallace, a Ft. Meyer fire fighter and first responder who said the Pledge of Allegiance. Alan was one of the firefighters on duty 9.11.
I met briefly with the new Executive Director Cathleen Pearl and former Director Donna Houle who generously gave Honor Flight Chicago shelter in a horrendous rainstorm a couple of years ago! We filled the auditorium! She has been the backbone of the Memorial and has been promoted up the hill. However, the new Director Cathleen Pearl is looking forward to seeing Honor Flights rain or shine!
The ceremony was closed down with a beautiful rendition of Taps by SSG Alicia Eisenstadt, USA. US ARMY BAND
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Prior to Chicago's arrival, I managed to make a few images of the Marine Silent Drill Team practicing. As the veterans assembled and the team began to perform, the skies opened up and you can see the volunteers ready with ponchos.
An hour later, we gathered at the WWII Memorial where I had a chance to witness the first ceremony of the new year and a more organized Honor Flight. Congratulations to everyone involved. It was fantastic! Thank you. I haven't had that much fun in sixteen long months!
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This Wednesday August 18th, Honor Flight Chicago will be the first Honor Flight to visit DC in some sixteen months. Sid and Sarah are holding my Honor Flight book currently only available with the DC PHOTO BOOK.
The DC PHOTO BOOK has ten pages devoted to Korea, ten pages devoted to Vietnam, four pages to the Women's Memorial at Arlington and another ten to the Cemetery. It's particularly valuable this year as Korea is under construction and is a mess.
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I am fully vaccinated and my paperwork is done for Honor Flight. Getting through TSA is ALWAYS a hassle and so I have CLEAR and TSA membership and am thinking of having my vaccination card tattooed on my wrist... I am looking forward to seeing the Honor Flights back on the Mall. Any advice on tattoos?
As you can see, it's a experience I wouldn't want to miss!
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Welcome Back! I have missed getting out to document the hubs and anticipating seeing you at the airports and on the Mall.
You should have received a copy of my small Honor Flight Book this month. As always, I look forward to continuing my documentation of Honor Flight and that has grown to ninety plus pages. While I rarely take notes, I've sporadically keep a JOURNAL to remind me of the amazingly beautiful spirit of volunteerism alive in this country. Over the past sixteen years, both the blog and Honor Flight have grown. I've added some information in the blogs about the various memorials which may be helpful in your planning.
I made the WWII Memorial Book as a tribute to my father who was a WWII Veteran and also as a tribute to the American craftsmanship which is embodied in these Memorials. I hope my books which many of the Honor Flights gift to their veterans allow the veterans to "continue the day" with their families.
There are four books/items described in detail at DC PHOTO BOOKS. I recommend the "limited edition" DC PHOTO BOOK as the most elegant of my productions and the best value as it is shrink wrapped with the Honor Flight book. Insert the code "honorflighthub" into the discount box and you receive the discount. The WWII Memorial book and the two postcard packs are automatically discounted. I've set up the books and the boxes they come in for ease of handling and identification.
The average delivery time nationwide is a week. With the new shopping cart and warehouse, you will receive tracking throughout. Any questions, feel free to call or text me. I've updated my fine art website "srbphoto.com" and if you need me, call/text: 202-255-8635. Email: [email protected]
Here's a contemporary price sheet of the available inventory:
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Talked with Senator Dole the other day. He's doing a piece for the Honor Flight Summit and we got to talking about his cancer which he is is optimistic about. He's an amazing and inspirational man.
]]>PRESS RELEASE THANKS TO DANIEL ARANT: National Park Volunteer, Vietnam Veteran and Historian.
Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Veterans Affairs officials are lifting all restrictions on visitors to veterans cemeteries across the country provided that they have been vaccinated against coronavirus. That means no masks, no social distancing and no limits on group size at any of the 155 national cemeteries, starting May 26. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated are expected to continue wearing masks and avoiding crowds, in keeping with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Officials at Arlington National Cemetery — arguably the best known veterans cemetery in America, but actually operated by the Army — are expected to announce new visitation rules for next week’s holiday soon. That site typically drew tens of thousands of visitors in the week before and after Memorial Day, but saw far fewer last year because of pandemic restrictions.
The mask and crowd size restrictions have been in place since last June, following a 10-week partial closure of the cemetery sites at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Funeral services have been ongoing but limited to small numbers of immediate family members. Public gatherings have been curtailed.
Officials said large-scale events typically held over Memorial Day weekend still will not be held at the sites this year, because of ongoing worries about mass gatherings. But individuals and families planning on visiting the cemeteries will be able to resume activities under the same protocols as before the pandemic began.
“For those of us in the VA and especially those in the National Cemetery Administration, Memorial Day is one of the most important days of the year,” acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ron Walters told reporters on Friday. “I’m sure many families will be happy to get the news that there will no longer be a limit on the number of people who can attend these services.”
VA officials could not estimate how many individuals may visit the cemeteries next week as a result of the loosened rules. Local staff have been conducting burial and committal ceremonies since last summer, and grounds crews have been maintaining sites throughout the pandemic.
“All of our district directors said that lifting [the restrictions] does not pose any additional challenges to the cemeteries,” Walvers said. “We’ve still had a cemetery representative there, the cemetery directors still needed to be there. Things were already kept up prior to the new
COVID guidance.”
Families who had a small funeral service during the height of the pandemic can request a larger memorial service now if they want to include a larger crowd in their mourning. Walters said he does not anticipate those requests to add significant workload to staff.
VA officials will not be checking individuals’ vaccine status, but are asking all visitors to use common sense and respect other families by following vaccine guidelines and staying home if they are feeling ill.
About 93 percent of all veterans in America today live within 75 miles of a national or local veterans cemetery, according to the National Cemetery Administration.
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Leaving a penny means you visited and want to thank the veteran of the armed forces for their service. A nickel left at a grave means you trained at boot camp with the deceased servicemen, while a dime suggests you served with him or her. Paula Nelson of Stars and Stripes made this little side trip for a one of the veterans who wanted to spend a minute with his nephew.
San DiegoSan Diego Honor Flight in the Fall of 2019
]]>Two mothers making a difference. Founding an Honor Flight Network hub (Honor Flight of Greater Lafayette) @Pam Mow and Dana Vann are Gold Star Moms who I had the pleasure of meeting frequently on the Mall.
They began with the intention of taking a single trip for 84 World War II veterans and by the time they finished, they’d organized flights that carried roughly 1,800 World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans and their guardians.
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Plan time to visit the WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE TO AMERICA Memorial(WIMSA). DC PHOTO BOOK is the only publication that highlights the Women's Memorial. It is is one of the more significant yet invisible architectural triumphs in DC and probably one of the best-kept secrets in Washington, DC.
Honor Flights have special access to Arlington Cemetery and WIMSA is an easy stop and an opportunity to register your women veterans. Talons Out, Columbus and Rhode Island Firefighters have all had "women flights" (aka"Rosies") which featured the Memorial. Brigadier General Pat Foote, one of the founders of WIMSA was at the first Honor Flight Summit and later spoke at an Honor Flight Summit. She is a dynamic and engaging person.
The interior has sweeping forty foot glass ceilings which blow vast amounts of light into the interior. My show on the WWII Memorial was 440 feet long with 20×30 inch prints hung two high. It was in place for eighteen months and I loved going over there and hanging out! Great place to have a meeting!
wimsacolumbus_DSC7556National WWII MEMORIAL FROM JEWEL OF THE MALL
Don’t forget to take a stroll on the roof terrace. The elevators are adjacent to the bookstore and there are steps on the sides of the Memorial. Once you are there, you realize that you are in the center of the cemetery with a close view of the Lee Mansion and Kennedy's Grave.
ROOFTOP TERRACE VIEW
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On a zoom interview, Senator Dole expressed his happiness accepting this new endeavor. “Honor Flight is a great program and I understand it’s going to be continued next year. Maybe I’ll be able to go down for one flight to say goodbye.”
I promise to be there!
For years, Senator Dole has been at the World War Two Memorial greeting Veterans who come to visit aboard an Honor Flight. The organization brings 20,000 Veterans a year at no cost to the Veterans to the World War 2 Memorial. Dole shared with me he so enjoys greeting the Veterans.
"Shaking their hands, getting his picture taken with them, and sharing stories about their service."
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After three plus years of extraordinary leadership, Dave Nichols is handing the reins of Honor Flight over to Dave Smith (above), founder of San Diego Honor Flight. David Smith's initial interest in Honor Flight was through his father's WWII experience and a trip with him to Pearl Harbor. When he heard that there was no Honor Flight in the San Diego area, he created one which brings veterans for two nights and three days. For the past decade, he has worked as a leader of the San Diego hub and an active member of the National Board and so is uniquely qualified to lead us. Below is a picture of San Diego's hub!
Dave Nichol's ("Sparky") initial interest came from his being his father's guardian on a Rochester Honor Flight. As Dave lives in the DC area, he was soon showing up to support every Rochester Honor Flight and soon became a member of the re-enactors group, the "Allied Airmen's Preservation Society" (aka Sparky). He soon took control of Memorial Drive and the Park Police escorts began asking Dave where he wanted the buses. During his tenure, he brought new tech to the organization of 131 hubs, flights and arrivals... and new leadership. I was sure to meet him early every Super-Saturday.
Jane Julian another long time employee was responsible for the "Lone Eagle" program and managed to bring together a variety of veterans from all over the country for a weekend in DC. She did it graciously and flew in from Louisiana and recently West Virginia to make the veterans comfortable. She will be retiring this year.
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To my surprise, Senator Dole called today out of the blue to say that he was feeling pretty good given he had just had day one of his treatment. I think that he likes to share with fellow patients and I just finished a successful treatment myself. The grapevine goes deep! We chatted about the success and professionalism of Honor Flight which is his favorite cause. His tenacity is considerable and for the first four or five years of Honor Flight, you couldn't stop him from talking about it. Persistence works!
We also agreed to get down to the WWII Memorial for a photo session when the weather gets warmer. I'm looking forward to seeing him. This picture was taken in 2005 for the introductory page of "WWII MEMORIAL: Jewel of the Mall"....still my favorite book and my favorite Senator!
It was taken for on a beautiful Spring day in 2005. Hundreds of people were strolling by the fenced-in construction area and when they recognized Senator Dole, they started waving. He couldn't resist and went over to the fence and was pressing the flesh (fortunately for me on the other side of the fence or it would have been the end of the photo session). After ten--actually twenty anxious--minutes I had to remind the Senator that we had six locations to go and a bunch of notables who also wanted their pictures with him. At the end of the hour long session, he pointed to my daughter and said that "young lady didn't get her portrait with me." His attention to detail is amazing and his ease with folks is legendary.
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LAST FLIGHT OF THE SEASON
I met Central Missouri Honor Flight at the airport where once again the DCA Honor Flight Volunteers performed the miracle of fish and loaves by getting the whole airport to stop and cheer while the Missouri veterans transited the airport. You could sense an elevated positive mood alteration as everyone from shop keepers to travelers had stopped their busy day and were cheering for the veterans. I hang with some pretty well-traveled folks and Honor Flights are everywhere...even in the New York Times which did a great article on Honor Flight.
The impact of Honor Flight extends into the community through travelers, families and countless thousands as they traverse the Mall. This Honor Flight gig could get addictive. Proof of that is our DCA volunteers who are at the airport morning and afternoon for every flight.
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We had the good fortune to have Steve Jones as our motorcycle escort. He is a classic "motorman" and dresses elegantly for a crazy and cold job particularly on this November Day! With the short day that an Honor Flight hub bas in DC, the escorts save us approximately two hours of travel and parking time. We managed to get to every Memorial of note in six hours and get back to the airport on time. On a warmer day, we might have lingered a bit but...
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ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Our first appointment of the day was at Arlington Cemetery for the Changing of the Guards. This Summer, the Tomb has been particularly crowded but it was empty today because of the cold weather. We had the opportunity not only to see the changing of the guards but also a wreath laying put on by a local middle school.
For those of you unfamiliar with this ceremony, the Old Guard changes every hour in the Winter. When Honor Flight veterans are on the scene, they acknowledge their presence by scraping their heels as they go by. Woe is the person who makes too much noice during the ceremony as a really embarrassing and noisy "dressing down" follows.
The group portrait is done on the steps of the Amphitheater. I wait for Angela Barnes Barrett to set up the photo and take mine as soon as she's finished. Good to watch these youngsters do all the work.
WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE TO AMERICA
We had a great stop at WIMSA and Director Donna Houle personally stepped out and gave a tour of the building and registered our three women veterans with their computer database. The Memorial is under renovation at the moment and will soon have new displays. I am hoping to work on a photographic exhibit of women combat photographers. Should be cool!
IWO JIMA
When we arrived at the Iwo Jima Memorial, Anika Oyen assembled the Marines to honor Elemer J. Dapron who recently passed away. A well-known Jefferson City business man and success story, he gave up his spot on an earlier Honor Flight to another veteran and passed away before he could join us today. He fought both in WWII and Korea and was ultimately knighted by the Queen. Pretty interesting for a guy who grew up homeless and taught himself to read.
Anika distributed a handful of black sand from Iwo Jima beach in memory of Elmer. The thimbleful of sand which will soon wash away but our little ceremony will blossom in the memory of all who were present. Each hub has a flavor of its own and Missouri is marked by small moments like this which usually translate into great stories.... of which one Rodney Griffiin is a tale for another time (see the HONOR FLIGHT BOOK)...
20191112-_DSC1756Anika Oyen distributes sand from Iwo Jima near the basis of the Memorial.
GRAND TOUR
The caravan then took the grand tour around town with a brief stop at the Navy Memorial. A sailor at heart, I was disappointed to see that the water from the seven seas and the Great Lakes was not in the gorgeous fountains. We did however get to pose with the "LONE SAILOR" and commemorate a veterans life with a photo.
WWII MEMORIAL PORTRAITS
It was absolutely frigid by time we got to the WWII MEMORIAL but we had an hour to get the few WWII Veterans out to see their Memorial and make a few images.
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KOREA, LINCOLN AND VIETNAM
Our next stop was the South circle adjacent to Lincoln and we had choice spots by the concession stand which despite the cold served up a Dove bar...you gotta stay warm! Energized, I wandered over to Korea and began organizing the Korea Veterans who surprisingly had stayed together making this photograph of all of them possible.
I spent the remainder of the trip discussing book publishing issues and trying to get a feel for whether the soft, hard and "limited edition" books were most popular. Publishing on a yearly basis gives me a chance to update and improve the books and there is economy in focus.
I've been reading a lot of Bill Gates and Steven Pinker and will be working on my Honor Flight and DC PHOTO BOOKS publishing projects. Looking forward to 2021 where we will all be vaccinated and flying. DC is not the same without you!
It's hard to describe the intensity of easily 5000 plus people lined up in a gauntlet which it's a pleasure to run and run I did. By time everyone it was over, I had traversed the walk probably ten times and each pass brought new pictures.
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]]>We arrived back at BWI after another exciting United States Park Police escort. It's amazing how traffic disappears when you have a couple of motorcycles leading the way. As a photographer, I am used to be searched "thoroughly" and this being the second Honor Flight I've flown with, I am amazed that we cruise through security without stopping. The last time I wasn't searched, I was traveling on Air Force Two with Ronald Reagan! Presidential Treatment!
About 30 minutes into the flight all of the volunteers began assembling for mail call. This is a much talked about Honor Flight tradition and so I was particularly anxious and grateful to be present for this. It was everything I imagined and the emotional reaction of the veterans was deeply felt.
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As we were descending into the airport, Quarterback Bill Schroeder made a farewell speech from the front of the plane and not only was he moved to tears but I suspect everyone on the plane felt the same. It's hard to focus when you are tearing up. I made one good frame and it summed up the day. 20191019-_DSC0565
CONTINUED....
]]>BWI ARRIVAL
BWISeveral hundred fans lined the hallways of BWI to greet Stars and Stripes three planes.
As we arrived at BWI, we got the water cannon salute and as we deplaned, there were a couple of hundred well-wishers lined up at the gate and more scattered along the hallways as the veterans headed for the buses. Dave Nichols and Meredith Rosenbeck were on hand to greet all three planes. Glen was also on hand
20191019-_DSC0164Honor Flight Chair Dave Nichols and CEO Meredith Rosenbush were on hand here shown with Paula Nelson. _DSC0148
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And we are off for another fun filled United States Park Police escort which was thrilling, action packed and always a crowd pleaser. Time is always short and so we were off to our only appointment of the day: the Tomb of the Unknown. Honor Flight is I believe the only organization that the Cemetery allows to bring buses. Having walked the hill, it's a pleasure to ride!
Arlington National Cemetery
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IWO JIMA MEMORIAL
Next stop the Iwo Jima Memorial where we assembled for individual and group photos with the players. One of the great luxuries of the day for me was that VIP Photography was on the job and set the group photographs up. This group photography business is nerve wracking as you have approximately 150 people who are not paying attention but will be disappointed if they can't see themselves in the print. And you have to do it perched on a wheelchair! HERDING CATS!
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LINCOLN, VIETNAM AND KOREA
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WWII MEMORIAL
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CONTINUED IN PART THREE WHERE WE FLY BACK TO GREEN BAY
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Rear Admiral Crow gave a talk on the four ships with the name "San Diego:.
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I was at the WWII Memorial to photograph Senator Dole yesterday. And while I intended to make a few frames and leave. Nevada and Columbus came in together and some four hours later, the last Honor Flight left and Senator Dole and I packed it up and headed home.
Due to scheduling, I have been missing Columbus. Today I managed to meet the new Honor Flight Columbus lead Pete MacKenzie, Beth Johnson and Cindy Kanwar. As they had not planned a group shot, they left it to me and we managed to round up ALL of the veterans which took a few minutes. The volunteers and tourists kindly obliged my constant pleas to move back and we managed to get it done.
Beth Johnson has been doing an amazing job of social media and web for Honor Flight Columbus and she had her day with her today on his birthday. Cindy Kanwar and I after many posts exchanged on Facebook finally had our selfie in person and Pete MacKenzie's daughter Melanie met the buses on Homeland Drive.
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Senator Dole with various and sundry
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Next, Korea where I found Stars and Stripes forming up for a group picture. As usual, they had two groups of five buses alternating around the Mall. Amidst the crowds and chaos and wailing sirens, Paula Nelson remains unflappable. Stars and Stripes has always been of the "go big or go home" approach and she carries on the tradition.
I followed Stars and Stripes to the Air Force Memorial, took a few images and then...
Stars and Stripes AlphaAT the Air Force Memorial
...over to the Vietnam Memorial where I found Ron Newsum of Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight (Eastern Iowa) and his veterans. The switch to Korea and in particular Vietnam has been an easy one and as most of the veterans are around my age, we always end up chatting for a good while. I was at the Wall the day it opened and slept on top of the Wall to secure my position. That photo is in DC PHOTO BOOK.
Ron NewsumBrush Creek Area Honor Flight, Eastern Iowa
As I was leaving, Stars and Stripes five bus "B group" was filtering into the Memorial with Angela Wangrud, Stars and Stripes principal photographer who was working with a group of veterans at the Wall.
Angela Wangrudand Stars and Stripes Vietnam Veterans.
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The roster called for seven of the flights to converge on the WWII Memorial in the afternoon. I arrived to find Stars and Stripes Alpha team already there with good friend Jody Baber Mclain of Badger Honor Flight pushing a chair to help out. She is pictured with C. Patrick McCourt who works with the "Allied Airmen's Preservation Alliance" as a greeter. He is a "frequent flier" at the Memorial.
Jon Yuspa and Jody McLainJohn has started a new hub in his home state of Maryland.
While chatting with Jody, I mentioned that I thought the hubs were crowding each other at the WWII Memorial in the afternoon. Turns out as most of these veterans were Korea/Vietnam, all the hubs had chosen to concentrate on Korea and Vietnam in the AM while the vets were fresh.
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After that, I had the opportunity to take a walk aound the Memorial with Leatherstocking Honor Flight's Jim and Barbara Furlong.
Barb and Jim FurlongLeatherstocking Honor Flight
As we were strolling around, we met a veteran who was having an emotional time of it and Barbara seemed to know when to hug him and settle him down. While Honor Flight makes no claim to healing, a nice hug at the right time might be just the thing!
I have been doing Leatherstocking's photo for years and since they decided to do it at the Lincoln, I hopped on the bus.
LEATHERSTOCKING HONOR FLIGHTLINCOLN MEMORIAL
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Living in DC, it's much easier to get to Reagan Airport than BWI but I wanted to cover the ground crew there as well for future publication. Not being a morning person, I stayed at the BWI Hilton Friday night so I could get a little extra sleep in the AM. This allowed me to greet San Diego Honor Flight Friday afternoon and Blue Ridge in the morning. There were nine water cannon salutes and I missed every one of them! Guess that tree didn't fall!
BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides BWI GROUND CREWOn Saturday May 4th, nine Honor Flight hubs arrived at BWI airport to be greeted by scores of greeters, guardians and tour guides
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Minnesota Honor Flight was accompanied by Tami Stieger so I let her do all the work and then slipped in and made a few pictures. The group was small enough that they fit against the Wall of Stars.
WINDY!Winds bowed the head of the Honor Guard.
Cleveland was a small enough group that I was able to make a photograph of them from the side and I very much like the final composition.
As the winds got stronger during the day, i kept moving the groups away from the fountain. Everyone was very helpful in making the photographs possible.
Honor Flight has become so well known that tourists and school children all lined the walkway from Homeland Drive to the Memorial. It's always quite touching to see everyone greeting the veterans.
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Every Saturday, DCA Honor Flight Volunteers come in and shake hands with incoming veterans.
Pete Mackenzie talking to veterans before flag ceremony
Senator Dole showed up around noon and stayed for three hours shaking hands with veterans, tourists and international visitors as well.
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_DSC4341 Students, tourists and families gathered around to greet the veterans Students, tourists and families gathered around to greet the veterans Students, tourists and families gathered around to greet the veterans Students, tourists and families gathered around to greet the veterans Students, tourists and families gathered around to greet the veterans Students, tourists and families gathered around to greet the veterans Students, tourists and families gathered around to greet the veterans Students, tourists and families gathered around to greet the veterans Students, tourists and families gathered around to greet the veterans Students, tourists and families gathered around to greet the veterans
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Students sang for veterans
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]]>Arriving at the WWII Memorial, I found Greater St. Louis Honor Flight just getting off the buses. With no agendas or specific photos to be taken, I wandered down with flight leader Rolando Lopez into the Plaza.
Greater St. Louis Honor Flight arrives at the WWII Memorial IMG_0272 Bob Obrien and son Volunteers for Greater St. Louis IMG_0286
Rolando said he had a special guest with him and suggested I ride with him over to Arlington. The special guest was Marine Corps Drill Sgt Helen Bidnick Kevrick, the first women Drill Instructor in the Marine Corps long history. On our way up to see the Changing of the Gaurds, we stopped by the Women in Military Service Memorial where she was given a plaque commemorating her service.
Drill Instructor Sgt Helen Bidnick Kevrick,is given a certificate of valor by ______ at the Women's Memorial.From Robin Kevrick Baker's post: "...Helyn was the first female drill instructor in the USMC. She has always been an incredible woman who had an incredible influence on me. And she (along with my Uncle Morris) gave me a whole bunch of wonderful cousins."
Changing of the Guardwitnessed by Greater St. Louis
As the Changing of the Guard ceremony concluded, I ran into Brian Ziegler and @Jodi McClain who needed a group photograph taken and shipped to Wisconsin. I left Rolando and assembled both the veterans and then the veterans and the guardians. We didn't make the deadline but it was a fun picture to take.
]]>9/11 Memorial with Talon's Honor FlightDiscussing the arc of the plane into the Pentagon.
The 9/11 Memorial was our first stop. It's an understated Memorial to the lives lost that day. Laid out by the age of victims, the benches point towards or away from the Pentagon to indicate whether they were in the building or the plane.
From the 9/11, we worked our way over to the Iwo Jima Memorial where the veterans posed for pictures. There is construction on the steps on both the East and West sides of the Monument so watch your veterans and warn them.
The Air Force Memorial has become a favorite spot for Honor Flights to take a break, have lunch and gather thoughts as they proceed through the day.
Air Force MuseumGrowing in popularity with the Flights as a perfect place to stop and take in the view.
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I had the opportunity to visit with three Honor Flights this Saturday and work the crowds at the Reagan gates and take two group pictures. The DCA Honor Flight Greeters hooked me up with a gate pass and so I was able to photograph both Dayton Honor Flight lead by Al Bailey who has been doing this since 2005/6 and Talons Out Honor Flight lead by Bobbi Bradley. As they arrived, they were greeted with the customary water arch in tribute and as they deplaned by throngs of people, bands and bystanders who stuck out their hands to say thanks. Greg Locher and Carol Cloyd from American Airlines made sure all went well at the gates. A few of the greeters will spend the rest of the day as either volunteers or tour guides for the hubs.
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Bobbi BradleyBobbi Bradley leader of Talons Honor Flight arrives in DC
Talons Out had 84 Veterans total. They were 14 WWII Vets, 14 Korean War Vets and 56 Vietnam Veterans. They are planning two to three more flights depending on how fund raising goes.
Al Bailet, Honor Flight Dayton
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After leaving the gates, we boarded the buses and were met by our Park Police escorts among them Steve Jones, motorman extraordinaire. He's got the loudest bike in the fleet and watching him break up traffic or a crowd on the bike is just amazing. With the tie and the new motorman's cap, he was looking sharp. No matter what kind of ride you're on, you can't be cooler than a motorman!
Steve Jones had a new "motorman's cap"...tres cool
Kevin Mont pictured below with Angela Petit was the bus driver. As he's a retired police officer himself, the relationship between he and the escorts is solid. I'm still holding my breath thinking about the buses weaving pretty nimbly behind the cycles and the officers dashing into intersections while waving cars over. I haven't had that much fun since I worked traveling pool at the White House. It is apparently the most remarked on activity in the Honor Flight Day. We are lucky to have the escorts as it saves two plus hours per day.
Honor Flight Greeters Honor Flight Greeters
To be continued
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George Farrell and his team from Rhode Island were inspired to do an "all women" vet flights and with the support of the Federated Women's Clubs of America and other donations, they managed to get the ladies down here and show them their memorials. Their first and longest stop was at the Women's Memorial just before they traveled up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Four Senators met at the WWII Memorial to greet the Women Veterans
I met them at the WWII Memorial and managed to get a few pictures of the assembled dignitaries. George managed to get Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole and Senator Jack Reed and Senator Maggie Hassan assemble as the women got off the bus. They were a boisterous and good natured group and Sparky and I went over to Arlington to join them for dinner.
]]>Rochester Honor Flight was escorted by the BWI Brownies a motorcycle group lead by Keith Gentry, a retired Maryland policeman.. They have been meeting Honor Flights for five or six years now and add to the sense of welcome at the WWII Memorial. Like everyone in Honor Flight, they have been changing it up lately by meeting groups not just at the airport but also escorting them at the various Memorials. ;
Vince Wilson and the Gotta Swing In Support of Honor Flight is a regular greeter.
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George Kerestes has been a volunteer since before the Memorial opened. He would show up in a business suit with an American Flag tie and greet some of the veterans who were hanging out watching the construction.
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It was a beautiful day in Paradise as @Honor Flight Austin lined up for pictures. Lead by Tina Lee and Alan Bergeron they assembled for pictures both outside the book store and on the Mall with both the Lincoln and the Washington for backgrounds. Talk about nice choices!
One sign of Spring in DC is monumental traffic around the Cherry Blossoms. Seven Honor Flights plunged into gridlock but no problem...Park Police escorts simply closed Independence for a few minutes while they brought the buses against traffic from the Lincoln to the WWII Memorial.
TO BE CONTINUED....
]]>Lauren Burycka and W.Bart Smith of Honor Flight DCA with Christina Bauer of The Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington DC put on an introduction to twenty five Guild Members interested in volunteering with Honor Flight hubs. Guild members are required to go through intense training and licensing. They are incredibly knowledgeable about the city and its history and as a book publisher, valuable allies in documenting the city.
Guild Guides like Jodi Alleva Swacha and Laura Nelson-bolick are already volunteering frequently and Honor Flight DCA is looking for volunteers to serve more hubs. As a "Friend of the Guild", I got an invitation and stopped by to see the presentation which was extraordinarily moving. It inspired a room full of guides to volunteer. Honor Flight DCA has developed into a full service organization to serve hubs coming into DC. Lauren was going to be leading a tour of Arlington Cemetery for new volunteers so Honor Flight is turning into an opportunity to learn about the city. In fact, Bart Smith's voluteering with Honor Flight hubs ended him up in the Guild where he serves as Treasurer.
The meeting was held in Terminal A, the old part of Reagan Airport and the area is filled with romantic pictures of the airport when air travel was more hospitable.
HONOR FLIGHT DCA BOOK CLUB
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Honor Flight continues to grow and prosper. Dave Nichols (aka: Sparky) has streamlined operations and the board's choice of new CEO Meredith Rosenbeck to run the organization has certainly upped the Network game. Summit talks covered security, health, chartering, transition and general veteran care. Meredith handled legal affairs for the Network prior to this so she's familiar with the issues hubs have.
The new phone app allowed attendees to move between sessions with ease and make the most of the short time we have for the Summit. On Sunday I was the very much surprised recipient of a flag ceremony performed by Dave Bauer and Jerry Keyser. Quite an honor!
Behind the Scenes
Board of Directors@Brian Ziegler, Bill Welser (@Space Coast Hnnor Flight), Carol Harlow, Dave Nicols, Meredith Rosenbeck, Scott Fraser, Paula Nelson (Stars and Stripes) and Theresa Warner (Gottaswing Dancers).
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Honor Flight DCA put together a special welcome for Jody McClain and Brian Ziegler on their last flight as leaders of Badger Honor Flight. It's obvious that the mission has created strong bonds and friendships so it got a bit misty at the end of the day. It was a full bore reception with bands, crowds, flags and lots of color. For a photographer who likes color, it was sensational!
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HERDING CATS89 veterans plus 89 guardians plus the medical crew for approximately 190....possibly an HF record for this location! Jest saying....
The Medical Team never gets photographed! The Medical Team never gets photographed!
Lunch at the Iwo Jima Memorial
Lunch at the Iwo Jima Memorial
Sarah Cotter Schraven distributes water to the troops. Sarah Cotter Schraven distributing water. Jodi McClain, Kerem Bilge and Brian Ziegler at the WWIII Memorial
Sarah Cotter Schraven distributes water to the troops.
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
Nancy Griffith and Veteran at Vietnam Wall
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Vietnam Veteran takes an impression with the help of guardian.
WWII MEMORIAL
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Paula Nelson and Jody McClain cross paths at the WWII Memorial. These two young ladies are midshipmen at the Naval Academy.
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I asked Jeff True about Southern Coffey's flights and he said:
"We had 24 veterans paired with 24 high school guardians. We had 8 other adult guardians, including a medical doctor from our local hospital. We always pair up a veteran with one of our high schoolers. It is pretty AMAZING to see the interaction and bonds that are created between the two different generations. We would never consider doing it any different!
We always take 56 people total because that is the number that fills a charter bus. Our trips cost just over $30,000 per trip, and we take two trips per year. One in April and one in November. We have transported 430 veterans in the 15 trips that we have done so far. Planning our 16th trip for April 11 and 12, 2019.
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All who go on the trips go at NO cost to them. The money for our trips is raised in a wide variety of ways. Our students and two communities of LeRoy and Gridley, Kansas work throughout the year to help raise money to fund our trips. Both towns combined have a population of around 900. Our high school this year has a total of 63 students in the top four grades.
We receive a lot of generous donations from individuals in the area. Also receive funeral memorial contributions from family members of deceased veterans who had made the trip with us in the past. Our local Mason's group has raised and donated over $100,000 to us in the past three years. We have raffles, breakfasts, 5K runs, etc. I had a little kindergarten student donate $75 to our Honor Flight after she sold lemonade on a Saturday last month. It is really remarkable where the money comes from!"..." Our Honor Flight hub was started by Mike Kastle. He is now the hub coordinator for the Parsons High School Honor Flight."
]]>What a treat! Arlington National Cemetery in the rain on a Fall Day with the foliage turning. Riding along with Central Missouri Honor Flight with my photo colleagues William Greenblatt Photography and Angela Barnes Bennett. We are no strangers to rain and neither are our veterans. We're just hoping the cameras make it through the day.
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Angela Barnes Bennett and Bill Greenblatt (UPI) at the Air Force Memorial. Cameras are in fact waterproof!
Out of the heavy rain, a group of students showed up and greeted the veterans as we were walking to the Tomb of the Unknowns. As it turns out, Nanci Banks Bush a guide and fellow member of the "Guild of Professional Tour Guides of DC" had been tracking our progress from the airport on Facebook and met us there and later at the Iwo Jima Memorial. She has been recruited to DCA Volunteers Honor Flight as a volunteer guide to hubs.
Nanci Banks Bush Students gather to greet veterans in the pouring rain.
On the way out of the Cemetery, we stopped by the Women in Military Service to America Memorial and checked the registry. Our ladies were up to date. And we stopped at the Sea Bee Memorial to make a few photographs. Missouri seems to have "customized" the tour as we make stops dependent on the individual veterans.
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A brief stop at Iwo Jima to photograph our marines.
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At the Lincoln, we assembled for a group photograph with the veterans facing the Lincoln with their back to the reflecting pool and Washington Monument. The reverse image with veterans back to the Lincoln is in my opinion cluttered with the many tourists on the steps along with the columns behind them makes for a confusing image. In "Herding Cats", this is the "money shot." It summarizes all your efforts which are visually supported by the vast Washington Mall behind you. It also leaves room for type in your print and social media efforts.
Veterans pose with the big scenic in the background.
Michelle Sprye and Steve Paulsell worked on fifty five etchings (rubbings from the Wall) and I will soon have Michelle write a guest post how these unique gifts are done. Missouri is the only hub that I know that does this and it's a great souvenir especially as Honor Fight is ramping up with Vietnam Veterans.
The WWII Memorial
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AND ON TO AIR FORCE MEMORIAL AND DINNER!
]]>This has been an excellent year for Honor Flight coverage as I developed the theme with last year's book and so have been covering in a more disciplined fashion. By riding along with hubs during the week and covering Saturdays at the WWII Memorial, I've accumulated enough material for a new publication. This Super Saturday was a extraordinary as I was able to revisit and update hubs in different locations.
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If you love parades, this was not to be missed. This day long event was a salute to civilians who have made significant contributions to veterans. Jeff and Earl received the award along with Jaspen Boothe, Founder and President of Final Salute and Ted Leonsis, Owner of the Washington Capitals, Wizards and Mystics. For our boys, it was a daylong trek around Fort Meyers, a tour of the Pentagon and laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns with an Honor Flight in attendance! Go Team!
General Mark A. Milley knows how to put on a party! He has the troops and talents to display the Army's best and he spared neither in his praise of the awardees. Dave Nichols, friend Laura, my wife June (a long-standing Honor Flight widow) and new CEO Meredith Rosenbeck, board member Theresa Werner and friend and Gottaswing dancer James Martin, and John W. Mccaskill of the Allied Airmen all arrived early. We had time before the party to admire the view from the hilltop adjacent to the Milley residence known as "Quarters One". I've been up there for news assignments but never had time to take in the Olympian view of DC. Has to be great for fireworks!
View from Park adjacent to Quarters One
The houses in this little community are beautiful red brick 19th Century style and meticulously maintained. "Honor Flight" folks got a special tour of the General's souvenir room. He's got quite a collection of memorabilia from various campaigns, tours of duty and family items as his father fought in WWII and landed in Normandy. Naturally Honor Flight is close to his heart. He is the Army's Chief of Staff and its best salesman. He is also a man who's "on time" and used to getting the troops going so we were shepherded out of the house and bused over to Comney Hall for the ceremony.
Earl Morse and General MilleyA trim Earl Morse still fits in his uniform presenting General Milley with an Honor Flight Campaign Coin General Milley and Chairman Dave "Sparky" Nicols General Milley with Japanese sword used for suicide. He gave a vivid demonstration.
THE CEREMONY
Six musical and dress representations of historically significant stages of the Army were presented musically and accompanied by occasional musket fire. Six musical and dress representations of historically significant stages of the Army were presented musically and accompanied by occasional musket fire. Six musical and dress representations of historically significant stages of the Army were presented musically and accompanied by occasional musket fire.
After the ceremony, General Milley who's even better at "herding cats" than I got everyone back aboard the buses and to his house where an assembled group of musicians played a set of songs chosen to suit each honoree. We gathered around and spent an hour listening to a group of talented musicians who at the end of the evening each spoke a bit about themselves. Lot of talent!
IMG_3613 Earl and Clarice Morse hug as the band plays a special piece of music dedicated to Earl's accomplishments.
It was a wonderful evening and an opportunity to make the Honor Flight cause more widely known. It was also great fun. General Milley is quite a character and knows how to show his appreciation for anything that supports the Army mission.
]]>First off the plane was Gold Star mother Anne Adkins who was greeted by Greg Locher with a bouquet of flowers. She traveled with Blue Ridge all day--an interesting new event in Honor Flight history.
After that, it was all business with half a day fog delay to make up and so the remaining greeters cheered the veterans and hustled them to the buses. We were off directly to the Lincoln Memorial where the veterans staged on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and were given ceremonial coins by General _____________ and were greeted by the Marine Corps Drill Team.
Blue RidgeMarybeth Burns really runs Blue Ridge Honor Flight. She's determined and spunky
Blue RidgeVeterans deplane at DCA
Blue Ridgefind out who this woman is
Blue RidgeLauren Burycka is a frequent flyer and I am delighted to see her all over the Mall.
Blue RidgeJeff Miller of Blue Ridge Honor Flight
Blue RidgeDCA Volunteers gather for a snap. I know lauren burycka and laura nelson-bolick both frequent flyers as Laura's vest will testify.
Blue RidgeDCA Volunteers
CL Collard on the right photographing for Blue Ridge
Two for OneAs I was walking over to make the Blue Ridge Photo, I grabbed a photo of Hudson Valley.
Blue RidgeGeneral ________and ___________
Delighted to get the board of Blue Ridge Honor Flight together with Senator Dole. Serendipity!
There were three WWII Veterans on the flight and they were briefly honored at the North Carolina Pillar.
JUST ONE MORE (actually two)
Cynthia Collard and I spent a long and pleasant day photographing Blue Ridge together and I had the opportunity to see she and her DCA colleague outfox the fox. They smooched Senator Dole from both sides leaving him flustered and laughing. It was a great moment and one of those that make it particularly attractive.
Outfoxing the Fox!Cynthia Collard and I spent a long and pleasant day photographing Blue Ridge together and I had the opportunity to see she and her DCA colleague outfox the fox. They smooched Senator Dole from both sides leaving him flustered and laughing. It was a great moment and one of those that make it particularly attractive. Outfoxing the Fox!Cynthia Collard and I spent a long and pleasant day photographing Blue Ridge together and I had the opportunity to see she and her DCA colleague outfox the fox. They smooched Senator Dole from both sides leaving him flustered and laughing. It was a great moment and one of those that make it particularly attractive.
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A foggy morning on the East Coast delayed Blue Ridge Honor Flight for more than three hours but during that time, we had the chance to greet Hudson Valley Honor Flight. The usual DCA Volunteers and several hundred greeters were on hand and propped with signs, flags and enthusiastic cheering. 100 veterans and as many guardians poured off the plane to a cheering sea of volunteers which went down the gate through the terminal and up to the buses.
Greetings Greetings Alan Lewis and WifeWow...an Honor Flight book!
The GateCheering crowds gather around veterans from Hudson Valley New York Honor Flight as they come off the plane. Cheering crowds welcome vets
]]>San Diego
San DiegoThey kept spreading out and I kept pushing the tourists back. Sharp as a tack
Lanie with Veteran
Donna Hester
Donna Hester and vets
This Saturday started off with Honor Flight San Diego. Dave Smith and volunteers and guardians flew in with 100 veterans for three days. The photograph just kept getting wider as veterans arrived and I kept pushing the crowds back towards 17th Street.
Twin Cities' Jerry Keyser on the other hand keeps his 85 person group compact in this little area by the Atlantic. He sets it up using a megaphone and is very precise about placement. By correctly placing the vets and standing on the wall to make the photo, you can get the WWII Memorial, the fountains, the Atlantic Arch, the Minnesota Column and the Lincoln Memorial in the image.
Twin Cities
Columbus
Columbus was next and as there was a ceremony going at my preferred location, Susan Barr and Cindy Kanwar worked with me to squeeze everyone into the frame. The photo lacks balance but it derives substance from all the lovely people.
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UFOs
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Collier-Lee Honor Flight
Susan BarrSusan is on her 273rd flight and I can't imagine that she doesn't hold the record for most attended.
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GOTTASWING
Back on Homeland Drive, our new board member Theresa Werner and James Martin were dancing up a storm with their fellow Gottaswing dancers. Theresa has just been appointed to the board of Honor Flight and she brings energy, enthusiasm and local knowledge to Honor Flight. She is a researcher for PBS News Hour, former President of the National Press Club and in her spare time works for Virgin Airways at Dulles which nets her free travel. She is also a bus captain for Honor Flight Chicago and does frequent stints as a tour guide for other hubs.
IMG_1361 She and friend James manage to get around town faster than an Honor Flight with a police escort. I have seen them at Reagan in the AM, the WWII Memorial later in the AM and Dulles in the afternoon for dancing at the departures. Theresa and James formed "Gottaswing in Support of Honor Flight" several years ago and are frequent fliers literally and figuratively. He is an airline pilot and she works for Virgin Airways and so they are also constantly in motion.
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BWI Brownies
BWI BROWNIESKeith Gentry and John Jefferson in front of double row of buses on Homeland Drive.
KOREA
I had a chance to wander up to Korea and Vietnam and make some photographs.
Between Korea and WWII Memorial, I got chatting with this couple from Collier-Lee Honor Flight and she showed me this newspaper clipping about her uncles death in WWII she's been carrying since she was a little girl.
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For more photographs on this Super Saturday, visit the website
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Deb Wickerham with Flag City Honor Flight rolled in with four buses and lots of Ohioans waiting at the WWII Memorial. Everyone proceeded to wander the WWII Memorial, interviews and pictures.
The five brothers Nighswander all served and seemed happy to be hanging out together on a beautiful day. I found them down by the pool and made a few frames as they were being interviewed by Dan Cummings who is a master news anchor. His interviews are friendly and casual and the veterans feel comfortable with him.
Dan Cummings Interviewing the five Nighswander brothers
20181002-_DSC2209 Deb Wickerham in middleOhio veterans stand by the Ohio pillar.
Mission Barbecue had a tent set up and it was nice to sit and have a hot meal on the Mall. The weather was perfect.
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KOREA
Most of the veterans were pretty healthy and so as we walked up to Korea, I was able to make some nice frames at the Korean Veterans Memorial. These Fall afternoons are quiet and the Mall is relatively peaceful. For more of paradise go to the web folder below and lets remember usage is for Honor Flight personnel only!
https://srbphoto.zenfolio.com/p1055435546
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]]>Greeting Central MissouriOn this particular morning David Benbennick and Christine Boltz from DCA were on the line greeting veterans while 100 travelers cheered the veterans on. The fellows on the outside came looking for a vet from Miller County and found two
Steve and Sharon Paulsell are the Director and Vice-President. Mary Paulsell, Steve's sister is the President so it's a family affair. They've in turn enlisted their neighbors and co-workers and so it is really one big happy family. Each hub has its own rhythm and Central Missouri's is relaxed, low-key and personalized.
Veterans and guardians at the WWII Memorial.
Sharon and Steve Paulsell Angela Barnes Bennett and Miller County residents wanted! Kevin MontFormer police officer and now driver, Kevin's experience with police caravans comes in handy. i see him everywhere as he is very popular with the hubs.
Speaking of rain or shine, I managed this photograph on a rainy Fall Day last year and we ducked into the downtown Air and Space Museum for an hour to wait it out.
Constitution Avenue on a rainy day.
That personalization worked out when I was able to make this photograph in Arlington Cemetery last Fall. We stopped the bus on the side of the road in Arlington Cemetery and just the veterans from Centralia, Missouri gathered for a small and very moving ceremony for their classmate Rodney Griffin.
20170522-IMG_0175_(1)National WWII MEMORIAL FROM JEWEL OF THE MALL
Central Missouri also brings their own photographers: the witty and talented Angela Barnes Bennett and a contemporary and fellow White House News Photographer, Bill Greenblatt, who works for UPI out of St. Louis. They are on every flight and it's nice to have such great company!
Angela Barnes Barnett and William GreenblattMy photographic colleagues!
Angela Barnes Barnett wrote a little piece after the last trip and you can tell that she was giddily tired when she wrote it. It summarizes the the spirit of Central Missouri...with or without the deodorant.
"To the Honor Flight #55 crew,
Once again, men and women were brought together from every walk of life for the mission at hand. Boy did we laugh and oh how we cried. Ok, maybe I cried but whatever. From the ups and the downs of the unknown to the wonders of the powers of something bigger than all of us, it came together like a dream. Ok, a sweaty dream, but whatever, just go with this!
Upon my arrival at the hotel WITHOUT my camera I knew the day was going to be a treat! We departed Columbia and arrived in STL with a little rain to rid us of our beauty. We landed in DC with a jolt, like a jolt out of our seats upon our very swift landing. We weathered, LITERALLY, the DC climate like storm troopers taking on…. well, something really HOT! There were changes and ups and downs, figuratively and literally speaking, and the team persevered like troopers taking on the HOT! (Don’t try to figure out the HOT unless you didn’t wear your deodorant like suggested).
To the #55 team, it was amazing to watch each and every one of you make the day happen. I don’t think I have ever seen a group more attentive and happy, and FUNNY! There was not a guardian, new or experienced who did not have a smile on their faces or a gentle hand to lend to their veterans.
Stephanie Roberson, I believe you get the award for the most amazing, tolerant, gentle, kind, compassionate, guardian of the day. I loved you before today but watching you in action confirmed that you are the real deal. Lynn Nichols and Kathryn Wilkerson, watching the two of you offer assistance with no reservation to the task at hand with the most genuine sincerity anyone could offer showed your hearts and souls and dedication to the mission. Dr. Tom, you stepped in ready to take on whatever came your way with kindness and compassion that was not lost on the crew. Your nursing skills were excellent and again, above and beyond.
Suzie Ray Naeger, although you were the most boring seat mate on the plane, you showed me what amazing listening skills one could have! You “talked” your way through the day with the best attitude one could have ever had under the circumstances. Mike Cox, from my brief, weird “white bus” coo coo chanting trader ride to Iwo Jima, you and Anicka Oyen were the team players of the day, especially after Anika and I got to watch the flag raising at Iwo Jima.
Dave Williams, I am not sure how I roped you into the T-shirt change job but you handled it like a king. And even though I had a horror nightmare high school drama dream about you, Stephanie Williams your dedication to the veterans is visibly amazing. I am always taken aback by your compassion. The two of you make a great team!
Traci Putnam, thank you for holding the crazy blue bus together. Trash bags and tooth brushes and accountability for Gary Blackmore and his peeps is what holds us together! Speaking of GB, your heart and soul and dedication is a piece of the puzzle that makes everything work. Your dedication feeds into all of us. AND, thank goodness Angie Regan was there for some hand holding and positive reinforcement when it was needed the most, even though she stole Kirby’s seat on the plane! AND, speaking of Kirby Baumert, are there words for the best wheelchair captain ever?
Carol Grant Kyd, there has never been a time that your cheers for our Mid-Missouri veterans are not heard. Your passion is felt by all and I love it. Alice, it was beautiful watching your first Honor Flight experience sink into your soul.
To my girl Amy Hill, watching you take your #1 and #2 was a treat. You were so lucky to have had such a great veteran protecting you from my wrath!! I love you dearly and am so glad you finally got to check the CMHF off your bucket list. Hope you get to add a few more checks in the future!
David Wallingford, I sit back in awe of your selfless efforts to lend a hand and a strong back to the veterans on the “trip." The way you “fall” all over yourself to get things done melts my heart. You are truly a gift to the mission.
Eric Farr, my seat mate for the bus who politely juggles all of my gear, listens to me sing, talk and talk some more, you are a delight. Thank you for your ever lasting patience. Jeff Voss who is always across the isle on the bus, thank you for holding literally everything I throw in your lap, and for remembering my camera, and my bag and whatever else I left behind every time we moved. You are the best team player.
Sharon Paulsell, my goodness! You roll through each and every trip with a smile and the most hilarious stories, comments and commands like “don’t fall asleep so read your folders or something!” Trip after trip you keep our little blue crew (as well as the entire crew) on task, well informed and in line like no other. The humor you add to the day is what makes the blue bus the best bus!
And to Steve Paulsell, our captain, king cheese, red shirt wearing leader, you did it again! First, I appreciate you looking out for me because you must think I am only 4’ tall and can’t reach the overhead compartment. That was awesome! Not only do you expect each of us to maintain a high standard, you show us through example how we should be. Your dedication and love for the veterans is felt through each one of us and with you it is literally "all about the veterans.” Thank you for dedicating your soul to this project. It would not be the same without your guidance.
Once again, my heart is full. Super lucky to be a part of the team."
Honor Flight
]]>WELCOME HOME! A DCA Volunteer greets an incoming Badger Honor Flight
Fifty percent of the 132 Honor Flights come in through Reagan and are greeted by bands, scouts, cheerleaders, relatives and passengers from other flight who join the festivities. This is all coordinated between three terminals (arrivals and departures), airlines, charter companies and the TSA. They manage to get several hundred persons on an almost daily basis through security to greet the Veterans at the gate.
TERMINAL A
Like everything else in Honor Flight, the group just evolved with no approvals asked or granted. They somehow manage to get TSA to cooperate with Honor Flight and so get bands, instruments, cheerleaders. mimes, signs...all the stuff of TSA nightmare...through security and out to the gate. To my astonishment, there was a paper work problem yesterday so a TSA agent actually escorted five of us out to the gate and waited until the veterans were in to escort us back. I've been traveling a long time and never thought I'd see cooperation from TSA. Honor Flight has a lot of fans and more of them were outside the airport as we made our way to the buses.
TERMINAL C
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Outside the terminal, security guards greeted the Veterans and there were announcements that an Honor Flight had landed on all the terminal speakers so travelers could gather to greet the veterans at the gate. Our little group of ten people grew to a hundred in a few minutes.
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DCA Tour Guides
Within DCA, there is another group of volunteers who ride along with the hubs and act as Tour Guides. Others take a day and ride along with the hub as a guardian. Doesn't sound glamorous but it will change your day and your outlook. And you will make an impact that reverberates throughout society.
The interesting thing is that when asked how all this happened, Dave Nichols, Chairman of Honor Flight said he had no idea. And as a witness over the past thirteen years, I've watched people come together, build organizations and websites, share information and several hundred volunteers engaged and working with no organization or meeting. Cool!
With seven Honor Flight hubs inbound and a couple of marathons in progress, I decided to get to the WWII Memorial and let the hubs come to me. This gave me a few minutes to talk to everyone, make a few useful photos for each hub to use, exchange tips, schedule events and look forward to a great Fall Season. While this was not an official "Super Saturday", there were over six hundred veterans plus guardians on the Mall. Each flight has different customs and ceremonies and I am always on the watch for something new.
HONOR FLIGHT SOUTHERN FLORIDA
Unique among the days's many touching moments was Florida's Rick Asper presenting Senator Dole with a piece of the granite from the quarry from which the WWII Memorial was taken and engraved with his name. It's a rare piece and elegantly presented. You'll notice the young woman to the left behind Rick who is doing live social media with her husband. I think it's great that more and more flights are traveling with social media teams who produce photography and media livestream.
Flags of our HeroesSouth Florida paraded their "Flags of our Heroes" program around the Memorial.
Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight
George Farrell and crew were in next with a quick ceremony and a photograph. I always get the sense with the Fire Chiefs that they are ready for anything. Their enthusiasm and teamwork impress and is probably the reason they are Chiefs.
RI Fire Chiefs George Farrell lines up veterans RI Fire Chiefs
NOTABLES
John Liszewski travels all the way from the Eastern Shore and his final mode of transportation is sometimes the metro with his display items in a small cart. Dedication!
Talons OutBobbie Bradlee and Lora Nelson Block
RegularsBobbie Bradley and George Kerestes under the eagles!
Freedom Honor FlightCheryl Higgins and Teresa Larsen strategize over the day's schedule.
Flags of HonorRon Newsum and Senator Dole chat about the Flags of Honor Program.
SENATOR ROBERT DOLE
I very much admire Senator Dole and try to emulate his persistence. I always try to make one good frame of him when he is with the veterans. The rest of the time I am practicing my photo skills with other peoples phones!
Senator Robert DoleHardest working man in town!
Paula Nelson's motto! We were lucky and it seems that rain or shine, we always get by.
]]>Bagpiper leads veterans to Memorial Plaza
So a couple of weeks ago, I ran a blog post entitled "Piper Available" and Dana Vann and Pam Hawk Mow of Greater Layfayette Honor Flight chose J.R. MacArthur to set the tone for this 21st flight. I met him at the Memorial as he was getting ready and it's quite a getup and fortunately, his wife was there to straighten him out.
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We had a great little ceremony and were able to photograph not only the veterans and the guardians but also the veterans alone and finally the WWII veterans. If you are looking for color on a gray day, a bagpiper is just the ticket
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Pam Hawk Mow and Dana Vann have lead twenty one Honor Flights and this coming October will be the last. I hope they stay involved in Honor Flight as they have a lot to teach and would be valuable telling their stories at the Summit. As Gold Star mothers, they have paid the ultimate price and we can learn from their courage!
Honor Flight West Central Florida
I just had time for a nice stroll up to the Lincoln where I met flight leaders April Dennis Currie and Bev Frey leading the flock to the group photograph. My buddy Tammi Stieger was the photographer for the day so I just chatted with Bev and April and at the last moment ran over and made the picture.
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Honor Flight West Central Florida
After the group picture, everyone scattered to the Korea and Vietnam Memorials and I took the opportunity to make a few more images and headed back to the studio to edit.
]]>I stopped by the WWII Memorial to photograph Honor Flight of the Ozarks and while waiting, met the bagpiper J.R. Arthur, LCdr, USN (Ret) (and in another season Santa) who to all appearances and attributes was born to be a bagpiper. As we were both a bit early, I watched him don his gear which took a good 30 minutes as there are swords, knives, buckles, belts, flags, and other items which need to be put on in sequence.
Ornamental SwordsGetting his outfit together is no easy matter as it consists of probably twenty items!
Ornamental SwordsGetting his outfit together is no easy matter as it consists of probably twenty items!
Ornamental SwordsGetting his outfit together is no easy matter as it consists of probably twenty items!
When Honor Flight of the Ozarks arrived, they unexpectedly got off the buses right in front of the Memorial. Serendipity being the rule of thumb, I was able to get one of the more memorable photographs of the year as our merry piper lead them into the Memorial plaza. I don't know if any of it was planned but it worked out nicely. J.R. also has a extraordinarily loud voice so I was able to use him to organize the group.
J.R. Arthur's email is [email protected] if you are looking to enhance your photographic experience. He is a guarantee that your images will be a bit richer and your veterans entertained. He's a talker! I enquired of him as to his rates and they are reasonable. He can do more than one flight a day and suggested if he did more than one flight a day, he could further discount.
A group of Navy Officers were being promoted and for some reason their reward was a nice hot run around the Mall. We got in touch with then and they sang for the Honor Flight veterans. It's wonderful that people in DC recognize Honor Flight and do their best to make the experience meaningful.
]]>As Honor Flight inevitably shifts its focus to Korea and Vietnam, the plaza of the Lincoln Memorial has become a great place to stage a show for the veterans. The Marine Corps Silent Drill Team has been out for the last few Chicago trips. The first time I photographed it, I mentioned to Mary Pettinato that it was a shame that the background was cluttered with tourists. Presto....she has cleared the background of pedestrians by having guardians stretch out ropes and ask people to stay to the sides.
Anne Howington and Theresa WernerAnne is a nurse who travels from Tennessee to Chicago for HFC flights. Theresa Werner is the organizer along with boyfriend James of "Honor Flight in support of HFC" which raised $10000.00 this year in addition to dancing at numerous events. Jenny Nunn BrawleyJenny is the "Flight Coordinator" for HFC and managed to entice General Colin Powell to two HFC events as well as organize the 275 people on the trip.
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Honor Flight Chicago was out in force yesterday with one hundred Korean veterans and easily twice as many Guardians, Medics, Police Escorts, Water Bearers, 14 Radio Wearers, and Photographers. I met them at the Air Force Memorial. Most of the guardians are regulars so everything is very precise.
When told General Powell was going to meet us at the WWII Memorial, I took a cab over to meet him. I have found it helpful to explain to dignitaries what will be happening and try to form a course of action to allow them to shake as many hands as possible. If they are comfortable and you provide an exit strategy, they'll be back. General Powell is a regular and Chicago has been lucky to get him as he is often traveling.
Having worked with him before, we allowed the veterans to start assembling for the ceremony and followed them in. This was our most successful photo voyage to date as he was able to shake the hand of EVERY veteran and quite a few guardians and active service members.
Hence our historic "fist bump"!
As I am not a veteran, I don't feel comfortable with saluting but in the photo corps, it's the "bump" and the bump it was! Steven Pearson caught it and it is now my profile picture. Thank you Steven Pearson!
As we were leaving, he paused under the Eagles for a minute and looked back on the ceremony. Looked like he was thinking of blowing off the day...interesting...
Hmmm....I wonder if he'd like to be a guardian?
]]>I went down to the Memorial yesterday to visit with Senator Dole. The last time I saw him was with Jeff Miller in December when he received the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor at the Capitol. He was then surrounded by a "bipartisan" group: Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer etc... Both sides of the political isle filled the Capitol Dome for the event.
Today he was looking relaxed in khakis. He spent four hours greeting and posing with veterans, tourists, and generally anyone who came by. I have been working with him on the WWII Memorial for the last sixteen years. He supported my presence on the site during construction and over the years has been very supportive to Honor Flight. That would be an understatement!
When we gathered for the first Summit, he was there. He cut the first TV spot for Honor Flight and helped make other footage available for other Honor Flight productions. At his law firm where he is called "The Boss", his "rainmaking speeches" often turn into Honor Flight pitches. He is relentless.
I have been at a couple of gatherings where he has been asked to talk about politics only to watch him immediately stray over to his favorite subject: "Honor Flight." Ask him a question about ice cream and he'll tell you about Honor Flight. Mention the traffic and he'll tell you about Honor Flight. He is by far the most resilient and determined individual I know. I hope a bit of it rubs off.
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Fooled 'em again. Rob Williamson and I with the help of all one hundred plus volunteers to keep the area clear were able to make this photograph just before the Drill Team arrived. It was a spectacular day with wonderful clouds, a great breeze and amiable vets and volunteers. I am thinking of entering this photograph in the prestigious "Herding Cats" contest held every year.
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]]>Tami Stieger was photographing for Florida so I was free to wander and chat. I am really a better chatterer than I am a photographer and I love talking to veterans but also the volunteers. Their stories of how they got involved in Honor Flight are always cool and they are routinely cool people. The guardians and volunteers make it all work and I always marvel at the enormous amount of energy and organization that goes into an Honor Flight beginning with "follow the orange flag."
20180605-_DSC8775 I am beginning to collect a series on wheelchair repairs at the Lincoln. I think by the next Summit, I'll have fleshed out my collection. Note the snazzy fluorescent yellow pain. Easy to find and a racy color. There was a short period in Honor Flight's history where one of the electric scooters manufacturers got involved with Honor Flight. It ended quickly as the vets when given the choice of the "rabbit" or the "turtle" always pushed the rabbit and terrorized the Mall. Good stuff. One guy ran over Senator Dole's foot. That was pretty classic...and also ended the brief life of the scooter in Honor Flight history. Now everyone carries their own chairs and Missouri has custom banners, Chicago has stenciled backs. And when you look underneath the bus and see the rows of chairs, you realize just how driven Honor Flight is to get veterans to see the Memorials.
Getting my 10,000 steps in, I walked both to the Lincoln and Korea Memorials photographing a lot of veterans whose guardian was a son or daughter. Hard to make a bad picture!
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I noticed groups of orange shirts appearing from the path that leads to the WWII Memorial and started down that way only to find myself chatting with Deb Wickenham of Flag City Honor Flight. She also had the Mission Barbecue truck and tent set up for lunch and well...so much for the calories I walked off. Nice chat at lunch with a fellow who was keeping his guardian on guard!
And as I walked the final couple of hundred yards to the WWII Memorial Plaza, nine Honor Flight buses appeared within the space of fifteen minutes and so did several groups of school children who all seemed to know they should line up to greet the veterans and so they did.
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More to come...Chicago is on its way in and they don't make days like this anymore so lets take advantage of it! Living in Paradise!
]]>_DSC8471 Sidney Wade and Senator Debbie Stabenow at the entry to the WWII Memorial
Senator Debbie Stabenow and reenactor Sidney Wade were on hand to greet veterans I have always advocated more media on the flights and all the flights had great photographers and videographers and even live media throughout the day. Great stuff! I've been looking through the images and video created to promote the hub websites and it's impressive.
Honor FlightA lone veteran walks the gauntlet o of cheers, handshakes and hugs
WWII VeteranThis WWII Veterans with his daughter and the only WWII Vet on the flight. _DSC8479
KOREA/LINCOLN/VIETNAM
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HERDING CATS: OLD GLORY HONOR FLIGHT
As I wandered past the Lincoln to the Vietnam Wall, I literally walked into this image set up by Diane McDonald and Tami Stieger and grabbed a frame. Moving along I ran across Drew McDonald and a couple of his guys do a quick tire change on a Wheelchair. I am impressed! It's the constant "little things" that distinguish all the hubs.
PIT STOPOld Glory mechanics can change a wheelchair on the road. Preparation is 90 percent...
The young soldier below was with her father who had composed a set of notes which she read by the name of everyone of his fallen comrades. it was moving to see her do what he couldn't bring himself to do.
20180523-_DSC8578 Linda and Drew McDonaldThe President and Board of Old Glory Honor Flight.
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As I stepped out of my cab, Honor Flight of ND/MN was just getting into formation for a photograph. It was perfectly balanced between the fountains and their photographer was the first I have seen to use small studio lights on the veterans. I am anxious to see how it works out.
Honor Flight of MN/NDHonor Flight of MN/ND used to WDAY and has reformed. Good news!
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NEVER FORGOTTEN HONOR FLIGHT
Wreaths left by Honor Flights
Yesterday, I was invited by David Phelps of Never Forgotten Honor Flight to visit with them at the WWII Memorial. They had given out DC PHOTO BOOK the night before and announced that I would be there so I ended up with lots of praise. It's nice to get feedback (particularly positive). It was apparent that the book served as an introduction to the day but also serve as a way to tell the story of the day. I ended up conducting a small tour around the Memorial with two veterans and their guardians. I forget what a great adventure working on the WWII Memorial was and this brought it back. Living in Paradise!
Why Park Police Escorts!Two flights--one loading and the other unloading--take up Homeland Drive
The first thing Dave Phelps did was head over to the Eastern boundary (17th Street NW) of the WWII Memorial to make sure there weren't any "runners"! Brian Ziegler and Jody McCain of Badger Honor Flight do the same and it's an excellent idea. These veterans are an independent lot and it's nice to make sure we return with everyone! This caution and planning go into every aspect of the flight and watching the buses being unloaded, the wheelchairs placed, wheels locked, water and drinks out and guardians and medics in place, I am struck by everyone's efficiency as it's the key to a successful day.
NEVER FORGOTTEN HONOR FLIGHT VETERAN AT WWII MEMORIAL NEVER FORGOTTEN HONOR FLIGHT VETERAN AT WWII MEMORIAL
NEVER FORGOTTEN HONOR FLIGHT VETERAN AT WWII MEMORIAL NEVER FORGOTTEN HONOR FLIGHT VETERAN AT WWII MEMORIAL NEVER FORGOTTEN HONOR FLIGHT VETERAN AT WWII MEMORIAL NEVER FORGOTTEN HONOR FLIGHT VETERAN AT WWII MEMORIAL NEVER FORGOTTEN HONOR FLIGHT VETERAN AT WWII MEMORIAL NEVER FORGOTTEN HONOR FLIGHT VETERAN AT WWII MEMORIAL
Thanks for the time and the conversation. The images are as always downloadable for personal use of Honor Flight participants.
]]>I took up Brian Ziegler and Jody Babler McClain of Badger Honor Flight on their invitation to do a "ride along". Once at the airport, I had the great pleasure to see and photograph DCA Honor Flight Volunteers Lauren Burycka,Patricia Harris, Maria Temiquel, Cheryl Rickards, Nancy Griffith, ready to support the incoming Honor Flight Network hubs.
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DCA Honor Flight is a dedicated and loving group of people who provide support both at the airport and as guides and volunteers the many incoming flights. Music, patriotism, cute kids...all the things a photographer needs to have an easy day in Paradise!
20180512-_DSC7915 20180512-_DSC7924 20180512-_DSC7925 20180512-_DSC7964 Oh Lucky Man!Nancy Griffith with her veteran for the day.
Water cannons salute the incoming Honor Flight
Every Honor Flight hub gets a water cannon salute upon arrival at Reagan, Dulles and BWI Airports. The waiting band and crowds of excited groups is contagious and I like to photograph the veterans as they come up the ramp. I believe that most of them are overwhelmed.
Veterans walk the ramp into a sea of fans, signs and music. Veterans walk the ramp into a sea of fans, signs and music. Veterans walk the ramp into a sea of fans, signs and music.
As we left the security area and headed to the buses, there was a long line of well-wishers with signs, handshakes and cheering to get our day going. A great way to get started! The buses were near the Western end of the terminal and the view of the Capitol and memorials is a great way to get oriented to the city.
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Carol Coy (above left) retired from American Airlines and continues to organize and supervise Honor Flight arrivals and departures. Kerem Bilge is a Naval Officer who is also a long-time guide for many of the Honor Flights and it's always nice to have him aboard.
Solving the Traffic ProblemBeretta and gang kept us moving throughout the day. And they kept us parking as well. Fun to watch! _DSC8232
My job is to hang around and take pictures and while I am taking pictures, it is both inevitable and enjoyable (I hope) that we get to know each other. And so I met Cat and Margaret, mother and daughter, who for Mothers Day weekend got together and volunteered with Badger Honor Flight. That way they got to spend the holiday together productively. They both said that volunteering gave weight to the Holiday. Great Stuff!
As Badger Honor Flight is ably covered by photographer Danni Downing, I have little to do but wander around and fill in the blanks. And at my age, I always like to feel "close" to the medical team and they were gracious in allowing me to make a few images.
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No matter what your condition, it seems Honor Flight is able to transport Veterans to see the Memorials. This Vet had been working for two years to get the paperwork for this trip and was determined to go despite the need for his leg to be straight out and elevated. No man left behind.
On the Way to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Father Daughter
Several Honor Flights at one time made for a full crowd at the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Arlington Cemetery. With us was the Under Secretary of the VA and a one star woman general who was traveling anonymously and enjoying the day with her veteran. There is plenty of opportunity on these flights to get to know folks and there is a camaraderie that makes for an excellent time.
Brian and Under Secretary of the VA. Father/Son
20180512-_DSC8077 Jody and Lauren
Veterans and visitors inspect the memorial to the Space Shuttle Challenger located behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Our next stop was the Lincoln/Vietnam/Korea trio and I headed over to Vietnam to make some images. There were several Honor Flights and one was doing a flag folding ceremony by the three soldiers statue near the Vietnam. The others were down by the wall visiting with fallen comrades and reviving memories by making etchings of the names inscribed in the stone.
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Over at Korea, the nineteen figures made for a stark contrast with the wheelchair bound veterans who were visiting. I am always moved by these enormous and stark steel figures.
As the afternoon grew hotter, we finally arrived at the WWII Memorial.
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9/11 MemorialCoincidentally, there were two family members of victims of the 9/11 attack at the Memorial while we were there. Brian presented Danni Downing with a beautiful campaign coin as a token of her six years of service to Badger.
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20180509-_DSC7538 George Kerestesfore he retired, George Kerestes used to come down to the WWII Memorial dressed in a suit and an American Flag tie. I suppose it was inevitable that he holds the record for most time volunteered at the Memorial. _DSC7458
This is Honor Flight Chicago's eighty-fourth flight and my eightieth visit with them. Jenny Brawley was in charge of todays flight and her plans went very smoothly producing as always a good number of great moments! It's easy to make good images with great planning, great subjects and a picture perfect day.
Honor Flight ChicagoGroup photograph at WWII Memorial.
These are few images I grabbed of veterans during the cememony
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John Ptak, President of Honor Flight was pointing out the sites as we sped thought traffic to the Lincoln Memorial with National Park Policeman Larry Holmes at the lead. Not only is the police escort good for getting where you are going, it's even better for parking when you get there. When you've heard a Park Police Escort say "Dave (Nicols)...where would you like those buses?" .... you know we are in good hands. As long as Honor Flight can make this arrangement for Escort Service, we should treasure it.
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At the Lincoln Memorial, we once again assembled on the Plaza and with the beautiful Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument in the background, the Marine Corp Silent Drill Team gave a great performance. The Marines lingered afterwards and as it turns out that one of our vets used to be on the Silent Drill Team.
Marine Corps Silent Drill Team
After the ceremony my assigned location for photography was the Lincoln Memorial where a few veterans and their escorts came up to see the view. There were groups of students who approached all of the veterans up there and posed for pictures with them. it was very touching and perhaps my favorite moment of the day.
]]>Saturday AM. Court Van Sickler of Honor Flight San Antonio had started to arrange his group for a photo and so with little to do, I made these images. I like this setup for groups because it contains a lot of symbolism...fountains, columns, Wall of Stars and the Lincoln Memorial which make the location obvious and lend the image weight. It is also the best side for the lighting on the faces of the veterans so whether it's for presentation as a gift or for fund raising, it's worth getting a beautiful image.
While waiting for San Antonio to assemble, there was a young fellow nervously practicing his trumpet--obviously a big occasion. He did a great job and I managed a portrait of him and his proud mom as they left the Memorial. I keep making these small compositions of friends and family as they intrigue me.
Ben Corker 20180505-20180505-IMG_4215
I was delighted to see Laura Nelson Bolick who is a tireless volunteer temporarily sidelined by some knee work (obviously "sidelined" means different things to different people. She was guiding the Honor Flight San Antonio flight and I can't imagine her sidelined for anything. George Kerestes is always on hand Wednesdays and Saturdays and has been visiting and volunteering at the Memorial for sixteen years with no option for retirement. Vince Wilson along with James Martin, Theresa Werner, Kit Stevenson and Jenny Brawley are the regular Gotta Swing group, a former Marine and both the most precise and polite gentleman I have met in a long time.
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The Memorial was absolutely hopping at this point and San Diego arrived and we made a group photograph with their flag which in addition to being on the moon, is pretty extensively traveled.
The Usual Suspects!
I finally made it to Homeland Drive where the activity had been ramping up and the Allied Airmen's Preservation Society had rolled a 1940 Packard on the entryway for display. John Liscweksi, Sid Wade, and C. Patrick McCourt were greeting veterans and the Gotta Swing dancers were dancing about the Mall or kissing veterans. I was still wearing mine at dinner last night.
]]>It was nice to get out to the 9-11 Memorial to meet Stars and Stripes out of Wisconsin. I usually miss them on Saturdays because they go the WWII Memorial last taking advantage of quiet afternoons to have the Memorial to themselves. With the size of their fleet, it's a wise idea. Stars and Stripes has always set big goals and always achieved record numbers whether thirty thousand people in Miller ballpark to watch the movie "Honor Flight" or the eight buses in two sets of four with close to four hundred people rolling around DC. That's a lot of people to move in a day so it's ...Go big or Go Home!
Stars and Stripes has twenty board members and two hundred and fifty active volunteers. IMG_4345
We then sped over to Arlington Cemetery to watch the "Changing of the Guard" at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We were escorted by Park Police Canine officer Robert Beretta and a colleague. Don't go near the car!
IMG_4353 Officer Robert Beretta and colleague.
IMG_4334 karen in Arlington Cemetery
And while there was another Honor Flight there, the event went smoothly. The Old Guard is tradition bound and demands respect for their work. I've seen them dress noisy civilians down and I would prefer not to get the treatment.
Tomb of the Unknown SoldierArlington Cemetery
At the Air Force Memorial, we happened upon Randy Fogle and Tudy Giordano of Honor Flight Dallas-Ft. Worth. I very much value my Honor Flight friends as they are all special people so it was a pleasure to introduce like-minded folks. The Air Force Memorial is one of the most relaxing Memorials as invites you to sit back, relax and take in the magnificent views framed by the three metal contrails sweeping into the sky.
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In the end, I photographed both hubs separately and we managed a few nice images which I think will work both as a gifts and promotions for the veterans and hubs. This angle is my favorite as I believe it contains an enormous amount of symbolism.
Honor Flight Syracuse Honor Flight Maine
Gunnery Sgt. Sara Sheffield sang beautifully for us and I am always astonished at her composure and grace. She's a recruiting poster!
Gunnery Sgt. Sara Sheffield IMG_3929-2
At the Lincoln, Blue Ridge Honor Flight put together a new ceremony which worked out perfectly but was precarious as it was a first for me. I really like my control and these big events give me heartburn. I'd like to thank everyone involved for working with the photographers to keep the crowd at a respectful distance. And the crowd was as you can see very respectful and greeted the veterans after the ceremony.
Blue Ridge Honor FlightI always try to get one picture which will work as a two page spread.
Touring with an escort around DC reminds me what a beautiful city Washington, DC is. Our bus "guide" (Guild of Professional Tour Guides) reminded us that the use of police escorts was an honor bestowed on us by a grateful nation. And as we glided though really bad traffic on Constitution Avenue, I was feeling pretty grateful Honor Flights have become a familiar site in town and a few boy scouts saw us and assembled for a salute! Life is good aboard an Honor Flight!
Back at the WWII, we were greeted by students and tourists who seem to naturally assemble along the entrance way to the Memorial. The sloping walkways seem to be a gathering place for veterans and family eager to be photographed at their state column. Frequently families fly in to DC and surprise the veteran as he or she gets off the bus. These reunions are incredibly heartwarming. It's been reported and I have had it happen that veterans open up about their experiences during the Honor Flight. Sometimes the vetereans just hang out and enjoy each other. Honor Flight is a rich experience for both the veterans and the volunteers.
The afternoon at the WWII Memorial concluded with a wreath laying at the Wall of Stars with two elderly veterans: one who was the last survivor of the Bataan Death March and the other who was at Iwo Jima. Remarkable stuff and as always, I am moved and honored to be able to document these events. Living in Paradise!
Wreath laying WWII MemorialOne the last survivor of Bataan Death March and the other a survivor of Iwo Jima. Jeff Miller and Paul Howell (center) organized and raised the money for the flight
I was amused today to witness both Earl and Jeff at the WWII Memorial having solemly "retired" at the Summit!
And I'd like to recognize some of the "USUAL SUSPECTS" here. A great group of people who leave life behind and create magic for our elderly veterans. Thanks!
volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers volunteers
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Steve Paulsell, President of Central Missouri Honor Flight reviews the new book
I first went to the Vietnam Memorial to meet by author buddy Michele Sprye who as usual had left from the airport and gone directly to the Vietnam Memorial where she and Park Service Volunteers Bob Fano and Dan Arant were working with her to make "rubbings" from the Wall.
Michele Sprye at Korea Memorial with volunteers Bob Fano and Dan Arant. 20180426-IMG_3832Michele Sprye at Korea Memorial
Sharon Paulsell and her son with Gunnery Sgt at the WWII Memorial
They are bound in a special envelope with information on the deceased and the Wall itself which is given to families at homecoming...and they do have a homecoming. I-70 is closed for twenty five miles as are all of the adjacent roads for the three to five hundred motorcyclists who greet the flights and travel from the airport to him base with the buses.
Sharon Paulsell's son Sam was volunteering to accompany a veteran and so the Missouri hub is a family affair with the President being Mary Paulsell, sister of Steve Paulsell (Trip Leader) who is the husband of Sharon Paulsell (Trip Coordinator). A tight ship. It's interesting to see how the hubs differ--in personnel, fund raising strategies, training and homecoming.
Angela Barnes Bennett, ace photographer and ambassador of good will.
Sharon Paulsell and her son with Gunnery Sgt at the WWII Memorial
Two Missourians greeting the flight.
Wheelchair ramps
Sharon Paulsell and her son with Gunnery Sgt at the WWII Memorial Congressman who came out to greet. Sharon Paulsell and her son with Gunnery Sgt at the WWII Memorial Sharon Paulsell and her son with Gunnery Sgt at the WWII Memorial Sharon Paulsell and her son with Gunnery Sgt at the WWII Memorial Sharon Paulsell and her son with Gunnery Sgt at the WWII Memorial
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Today there were three hubs in town. All were escorted by the National Park Police. As my cab neared the WWII Memorial, we were stopped by Honor Flight Layfayette Indiana lead by US Park Police Officer Steve Jones--motorman extraordinaire. The bus drivers and escorts play a delicate and almost acrobatic lunge through town. Cool to watch and photograph from the front in the bus.
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US Park Police Motorcycle Officer Larry Holmes is as dazzling a driver but on a quieter motorcycle and cuts a cool profile. He is a regular escort with Honor Flight and this day was escorting Honor Flight Eastern Iowa. I own a couple of motorcycles and have been riding for fifty years. Watching these guys handle their bikes is really impressive. Stay safe!
GOLD STAR MOMS, Layfayette, Indiana
Pam Mow and Dana Hawk have been leading the Gold Star Indiana Honor Flight for ten years. They are doing six flights this year and have made an enormous impact. The Honor Flight impact extends throughout the family and local area as the experience revitalizes these elderly men and women. What's not to like?
Alan RossAlan Ross, Member of the DC Guild of Professional Guides
_DSC7229Dana Vann and Pam Mow with Mr. Mow who I didn't have a chance to meet.
EASTERN IOWA HONOR FLIGHT
Right behind them was Eastern Iowa Honor Flight with Chuck Grassely, a long-time Senator on hand to greet the veterans. The Marine Corp Drill Team was on hand to do the Honors. A couple of our DCA Reagan regulars were escorting Eastern Iowa.
Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, April 17, 2018
Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, April 17, 2018
TRI-CITY HONOR FLIGHT (Cinncinati)
20180417-_DSC7370Tri-State Honor Flight
Tri-State Honor Flight at the Wall of Stars
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Dave Nichols and the Allied Airmens Preservation Society staged two jeeps along Homeland Drive enhancing the entry to the Memorial. Sid Wade arrived having promoted himself to George Patton while John McCaskill and John Liszewski retained the historical persona they've been working with. Theresa Werner, Jenny Nunn Brawley, Kit Stevenson and James Martin and the rest of the dancers formed up the Gottaswing team. Laura Clark and Julz Espensen prepared the lipstick for planting kisses on the cheeks of delighted vets. The first flight in was Rochester lead by the Keith Gentry and the BWI Brownies.
Keith Gentry leading the BWI Brownies who were running back and forth escorting buses
The efforts that the hubs and the ground crew in DC make to honor the Honor Flight Network veterans must qualify it to be the most elegant eldercare program around! More to come on this lovely day but for the moment...ENJOY!
These are selects from this weekend's Honor Flight and I am isolating them for future print publication. The raw images can be viewed at the Stephen R. Brown website. I photographed from ten to two and documented five flights.
All images are copyright Stephen R. Brown 2018.
Life is sweet! When I need a break from DC's endless chatter, I jump on my scooter and get down to the Mall. Visiting with an Honor Flight clarifies my vision of America as it truly is--generous and kind! It also always makes for great pictures! Hopefully Honor Flight will be the movement for which our times will be best and most remembered. I am forever an optimist and I suspect if you're reading, this...so are you.
On Saturdays, I stay at the WWII Memorial but during the week, I've been riding the buses. Escorted by the Park Police with wailing sirens and seemingly suicidal drives into oncoming cars, these rides fly through traffic to the delight of everyone on board. They come with snacks, friendship and camaraderie. I try to make images that speak to family and community. I post them in the hope they are used for personal memories and fund raising.
I met Honor Flight Chicago at the Air Force Memorial and spent some time greeting the "usual suspects" and their veterans. We then headed over to the WWII Memorial where the veterans assembled for a group photo and ceremony performed by the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team.
Cherry Blossom traffic had gotten bad at this point but with the help of our escorts, we moved on to the Lincoln, Korea and Vietnam Memorials. The Marine Corps Silent Drill Team did a great job of performing and we retired to the Pavillion for ice cream. Their next stop was the Air and Space Museum at Dulles and a meal and dancing at the Airport. Life is good on the Honor Flight Network. Mary Pettinato quoted one vet: "When I left this morning I was a lonely and tired old man, when I returned this afternoon, I was a proud hero ready to positively spend time with my family and community."
SO HERE ARE SOME VOLUNTEERS FROM APRIL 11, 2018. THANK YOU ALL.
HONOR FLIGHT CHICAGO'S APRIL 11, 2018 FLIGHT SPONSORED BY POPEYES
]]>The Honor Flight season kicked off to a cold but beautiful beginning with the long-awaited Cherry Blossoms in full bloom. I was able to make a few frames without the crowds. The Mall was in full swing with a cheerleaders, bands, and soccer players around the Washington Monument. Washington is magic in the Spring and the next few weeks are always remarkably beautiful.
Dave Nichols, George Kerestes, C. Patrick McCourt and Sid Wade were on hand to greet the hubs as they entered the Memorial. Tourists and a high school band joined the line greeting the veterans and the hubs arrived on time despite the heavy traffic. Seems everyone has worked out routes to avoid crowding the Memorials. "Sparky" has a great relationship with the Park Police Escorts who have become a part of the Honor Flight day and help manage traffic along Homeland Drive. The Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight arrived about 10:30.
Diane Gresse and Jane Julian followed with a "Lone Eagle" (terminally ill) Flight with veterans from as far away as California and Mississippi. They all gather at the BWI Hilton and take three days to explore the city. It is amazing that amidst the confusion of transporting all these veterans, Honor Flight has taken the time to care for these veterans who otherwise would not have the opportunity to visit the Memorials.
Honor Flight Columbus with Carolyn Peppe Barger, Pete MacKenzie and Susan Barr rounded up their veterans at the Wall of Stars to honor a 97 year old veteran who received a flag as their oldest veteran. He proceeded to play his clarinet for the assembly. These amazing little scenes play out at the Memorial every day.
He was only outdone by the Ohio ballet team which were happily spelling Ohio using the Washington Memorial for the "I". You occasionally see Ohioans on Mall doing this but rarely with the grace displayed here.
Congratulations to Jerry Kyser of Honor Flight Twin Cities who equipped with a microphone shoehorned 80 veterans in front of the Atlantic Pavillion. His photographer stood on the wall leading up to the pavilion and had all the veterans turn their heads and salute for the picture. Well-done! I've been "herding cats" for many years and this may be my new favorite view!
To close out the day, we joined the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs for an early dinner at the Westin Hotel in Alexandria. They had a banquet for their veterans and everyone got a certificate and in a time-honored tradition, "mail call" was held and with that there are always tears. We were joined by the DCA Honor Flight's Patricia Harris. Their group does an amazing job scheduling bands, travelers and local Washingtonians at the airport. The Park Police escorts and bus drivers were at also at dinner and were recognized as part of the family. No man left behind!
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It was a great treat to heft the weight of the new DC PHOTO BOOK. At 160 pages and forty new pages of new memorials and monuments, it could easily have been subtitled: "A Veterans Guide to Washington, DC".. The book will be distributed through the studio and through Honor Flight hubs. With the transition from WWII to Korea and Vietnam by most of the Honor Flight hubs, the additions to the new book include two page spreads on
I took the opportunity to use all new images and present many images that had never been seen before. The changes are significant enough to label it a completely new book by the Copyright Office. I've kept the cover because it is iconic Washington. The back cover was changed for one of my favorite views of the WWII Memorial in the evening.
Amerian Disabled Veterans Memorial below Taken while the WWII Memorial and the Washington Memorial were under construction Colonel William Webber of the Korean War Memorial Foundation was able to negotiate permission to finally make some images of the Korean Memorial. I am very pleased! |
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A gallery of selects from Honor Flight Chicago's May 11, 2016 flight It was an amazing time at the WWII Memorial with 100 veterans, 100 plus guardians, volunteers "The President's Own" United States Marine Band and family members who came to greet their veterans. It's an incredible phenomena and I am delighted to be part of it. The images from today are available for download for "personal use. Honor Flight Chicago celebrated its 70th Flight and I have been at sixty-nine of them and will celebrate my 70th in three weeks.
Despite the weather, everybody performed flawlessly and it looked like the Veterans were having a great day despite the rain which we've been having plenty of these past two weeks. Honor Flight Chicago's ceremony is enhanced by the talents of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band"' "Gunnery Sergeant" Sara Sheffield. The last gunnery sergeant I worked with was certainly not as talented as Sara Sheffield but he did have a really loud voice! That's Gunnery Sgt Dave Haglund who played taps.
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A rainy morning didn't deter DC Guardians and National Park Service volunteers from getting down to the Memorial. The flights were either behind or ahead of schedule so It's always a pleasure to hang out with like-minded folks and particularly these generous individuals. Dave Nichols, board member of Honor Flight kept the traffic moving on Homeland Drive.. His relationship with the National Park Service Police escorts has been really great. It's nice to have their cooperation in our venture. Many of the Veterans find the Escorts through traffic the most fun of the day and having ridden behind them in a bus, it's amazing and terrifying to see them clear traffic for five and six buses. It's also a convenient way to get around town.
As always the photographic opportunities are limitless whether its a personal image like this one or a group photograph like the one below. have found these Super Saturdays are all they are cracked up to be. See you on April 16th!
]]>The 2016 Flying Season began with the "Rosies" brought to DC by Talons Out Honor Flight and sponsored by Ford Motor Company. They were brought first to Capitol Hill and then down to the WWII Memorial where a good many volunteers had assembled to greet them
It was a delightful start to the season and a lot of the "usual suspects" were out to greet!
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I am publishing a "mini book" of Cherry Blossom images. It should be available in mid May. Like every DC based photographer, the Blossoms are a rite of Spring (some may say Passage) that we attend to. I am late for this season but prefer to think of myself as early for 2017! Most of the images were made with a Nikon camera modified by Life Pixel. The combination makes for a rich visual experience and unusual views of the Blossoms. The cover of the book is going to be printed on Linen stock while the cards inside will be on a flat stock. The cards are detachable and I think it will make a nice gift item. Due end of May, I am looking forward to introducing them to the market. The proofs below arrived today and I am very pleased with the color and the way the infrared works with the blossoms. .
]]>My favorite image this Spring has to be his picture of Senator Dole double smooched by the ladies of Southland Honor Flight. It's obvious however that Honor Flight while still growing is transitioning to Korea and Vietnam.
As the Spring Honor Flight season wraps up, I've been looking over the images I have made this Spring and Summer. It's been spectacular. I currently have over 40,000 usages of Honor Fights in action at the WWII Memorial. it's a long term project and I will figure out what to do with these images after the last WWII Veteran has seen it. The inevitability makes it's all the more urgent that Veterans get to see their Memorials and that the effort to achieve this be recorded. The variety of ceremonies honoring Veterans at the WWII Memorial is stunning and an hour spent with any Honor Flight always results in spectacular images and a more positive view of the universe--especially if you've lived in Washington as long as I have!
Mary Pettinato of Honor Flight Chicago and a few other hubs are sweeping their areas to find the WWII Veterans and you can see the lengths they've gone to as evidenced by MP's beautiful advertising campaign.
im Tayon and Honor Fight Franklin County at the Memorial
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Super Saturdays at the WWII Memorial are wonderful events as they connect the DC and world tourist community with the heartbeat of America. The WWII Memorial is the most popular (4.5 to 5 million visitors last year) Memorial in Washington, DC! To make it more popular, Friends of the WWII Memorial, Honor Flight DCA, Eastern Shore Re-Enactors, and Gotta Swing have stepped up the pace of their activities making an Honor Flight Network visit to the Memorial really memorable! I try to arrive on these Super Saturdays in time to to inspect the area around the Memorial before buses start rolling in. As the author of DC PHOTO BOOK, and WWII MEMORIAL, I am always looking for photographs that will enrich the next edition.
Over on Homeland Drive, Dave Nichols, a board member of Honor Flight, is as always getting ready to direct buses and keep the general mayhem in line. Jeff Miller,do-founder of Honor Flight, came up from Hendersonville, NC to help with the seeming chaos that occurs when fifty buses arrive. Dave has also managed an excellent relationship with the various police escort services and so traffic is manageable...more or less.
The "usual suspects begin to gather. Eastern Shore, Honor Flight DCA and Gotta Swing members gear up for the day. And it seems calm for a moment and then...
...the party begins with Ralph Brignac and riders leading the first group from San Diego.
Needing no prompting and arriving early, Honor Flight San Diego sets up their photograph with Dave Smith, Jeff Hall and I organizing and taking the picture. They have their "well-traveled" flag with them which sets them apart in the large group photograph. Indiana produce sand brings posters of when the veterans were younger and they take the pictures with the posters It's a bit time-consuming but certainly worth it for the visuals.
And just about 10:30, the "hardest working" man in Wshington, Senator Bob Dole shows up to greet the Veterans as they enter the Memorial. He is legendary for his persistence and has been doing four hour stretches these past couple of weeks. He looks great and you can tell that he loves sitting in the sun and chatting! Quite a treat for all.
About this time, there are groups milling about everywhere and I feel like I am swimming in photographs!
I stumble across Honor Flight Tallahassee and give them a hand moving 190 people from an over-crowded area to my favorite "center" position. It worked out fine and one of the "Guild of Tour Guides" was kind enough to move his group out of the way so we could accomplish the picture. The day is amazing.
The buses at this point are so numerous that Honor Flight Network buses are unloading on 17th Street and so I walk up to find Allen Bergeron of Honor Flight Austin getting ready to take his group photo and we have a chance to chat....and get that picture taken care of. I think my HERDING CATS essay is working and I am happy to see all of these photos being taken. This should all be remembered as the best of us.
When the Memorial first opened, music wasn't allowed and dancing unheard of and even sacrilegious! So I am pleased that the Gotta Swing crowd has changed the environment and vets can look forward to a 3D "MULTI MEDIA" kiss from the Gotta Girls! It's kind of interesting that Washington, DC media is just beginning to recognize the Memorial and begin to delve into its unique character. Moe interesting is the fact that DC natives have grown used to seeing busloads of Honor Flights speeding along with police escorts!
Throughout the day, a variety of Drill Teams form up, ceremonies happen, and it's a colorful and photogenic event.
with the Queen's Guard topping of the day with a well coordinated "practice" around the Memorial for the VE Day event. They looked and sounded great.
The Honor Flight Network is growing daily and the trend is to taking Korean War and Vietnam Veterans. However, hubs like Chicago are actively launching aadvertising campaigns to find the remaining veterans who have not yet seen their Memorial. In Chicago, Mary Pettinato estimates some fifteen to twenty thousand WWII veterans who are unaware of or who have not applied for a trip. And this will be the subject of a future post....Have a GREAT WEEKEND.
There's a Super Saturday scheduled this Memorial Day Weekend.... It should be a doozy!
David Luria of Washington Photo Safaris is scheduling in Honor Flight Saturdays as part of his classes and so more great publicity! He is also donating money to the flights that he photographs.
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FREE SHIPPING through the end of May to Honor Flights. These books call forth a lifetime of memories and are both inexpensive and beautiful mementos. The stories I hear of veterans' responses to the book are heart warming. They add depth and permanence to the Honor Flight experience and allow families to share. Make sure you remember to place your order a minimum of two weeks in advance. You can email me at [email protected]
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HONOR FLIGHT SUMMIT 2015
PHOTOGRAPHY:
PLANNING, LOCATION, PHOTO WORK-FLOW AND CREATING A VISUAL DATABASE
Memorializing and maximizing your Veteran’s short visit to the Memorial is important. Keeping them comfortable while you make this image is vital. Getting the group shot is traditional for history and a keepsake for the families of Veterans. It is also evidence of your good work and so your best fund-raising tool! I put this piece together as a reference for planning the big photo. There are locations that work photographically with different size groups. Planning this group photograph should be part of volunteer training as if it is delayed, everyone suffers.
You should advise bus captains and Volunteers to be “on time” for the group photograph. The bathroom break upon arrival should be fifteen to twenty minutes long so Volunteers and Guardians should plan on being in place fifteen to twenty five minutes after your arrival on Homeland Drive.
****If you have a group of more than five Veterans, the curved walkways by the state pillars DO NOT make a good background for group pictures. They are however great for individual shots if your state is conveniently placed.
John Bonk’s advice: (He has photographed sixty Honor Flight Chicago flights)
“Assuming 90 Veterans, begin by lining up the first wheelchair between Lincoln and the Washington Memorials and then spread 24 wheelchairs in front (twelve to a side), another 26 wheelchairs behind them and the rest of the Veterans standing...
-Assemble as quickly as you can...Ten to fifteen minutes for bathroom,
-Stagger the wheelchairs so you can see everyone’s face, do a salute shot, check the background for stray tourists,
-One of two Volunteers should be working with photographer
-Volunteers should place their veteran, take a “quick picture and step back twenty five feet.
-Nurses can duck behind the wheelchairs.
There are a number of photographers in the Capitol Region who you can hire and who are also volunteers of our DCA Honor Flight which incidentally makes me so proud of Washington. We accomplish so little here that it’s nice to see DC step up!!!!
Assuming you are using a lot of photography, I recommend Zenfolio.com to be the easiest and cheapest image storage and distribution system. It is also a complete website solution which
can be adopted to the “Honor Flight” style and additionally is excellent for social media . Using Zenfolio, you can blog, email and sell products. You can also store your event photos in folders and make them available (OR NOT) to the public. You can assign passwords and allow printing and if you like, pay for the prints through sales to family members. UPON INITIAL
SETUP, DO NOT ALLOW PRINTING until you have gotten a grasp of the system. Smug mug and Photo Shelteri are commercial websites which also do an excellent job.
As to cameras, think WIDE ANGLE! The cameras offered with 20x zooms are slow and are not wide enough to make group pictures. If you want to get closer, let your feet do the zooming!
• I believe the Honor Flight Network paperwork has a built-in photo release. If not, one is included at the end of this presentation.
• Decide on your photo location (with an alternative) and make it part of Guardian training.
• Volunteers should place their Veterans on the Memorial, take a “quick picture” of the Veteranalone and then step back so the group photograph can be made. Most are not wide enough
• to take a group picture so GIVE THE PHOTOGRAPHER SOME ROOM! Using a web based photoplatform, everyone can retrieve the pictures.
• John Bonk also used a device named “Wolverine”, a portable hard drive to collect the volunteer
• photographs at the airport at the end of the day.
• Regarding photographs: “Take prisoners and find out who’s guilty later!” With a 16 mega-byte card, you should be able to record about 4000 pictur
CENTER POSITION
I favor the center position as you get maximum visual exposure with the Veterans,the sky, the fountains, the columns and pillars, Wall of Stars and President Lincoln in one shot.That's a lot of visual information built at great cost which you should be incorporating into your picture.
In this photograph, the sky was gray and cloudy so I used a tool called “lighten shadows” to lighten the clouds and give them authority raised the level of green in the trees, fixed the grass in front, selected the Veterans using a special tool and sharpened their faces and lightened the shadows. All of the areas of the image should be mentally separated by tonality so the men, the trees, the grass, the columns, even the white in the sky can be altered. Because almost everyone is wearing a baseball cap, the filter “Adjust + Lighten Shadows” is used at about thirty percent of full strength. This one filter alone makes Photoshop worthwhile.
If you are the designated photographer, move in on a photograph like this and catch the leadership for organizational purposes. For this photograph, I contacted Dave Smith and we had people working with me to push the crowd back almost to the Commemoration Stone. In all , I don’t think we took more than fifteen minutes. Allow Guardians to photograph Veterans while set up is going on and then move back behind photographer. Just think, if you have twenty five Guardians who each hold up the photographfor “just a minute”, it’s twenty five minutes your Veterans are missing at the Memorial. As we are all aware that time is growing short, lets not waste it
Secondary angle to your main shot but the background is terrific. The primary photographer should be able to get three images in one session but better you designate three people to cover ceremony.
A nice clean shot with 40 people in it. A small group like Franklin County benefits as much from all the symbolism as does a large group like San Diego
FORTY FIVE DEGREES TO PACIFIC
SOMEONE ELSE HAD A PERMIT FOR THE CENTER SO I PHOTOGRAPHED FROM THE TOP OF THE RAMP.
IT WORKS BUT IT WAS AT THE EVERY EDGE OF MY WIDE ANGLE LENS.
FORTY FIVE DEGREES TO ATLANTIC
From beneath the Pacific Arch. If the fountains are running high, you miss the eagles but certainly get a nicely balanced
picture. Three are 39 Veterans and Guardians. It is a difficult position because it’s hard to keep the foreground clear.
Well-executed with the flag. Plenty of time to move around. The wide angle lens give you the ability to orchestrate the elements in your photographs. This photo would have been better if taken from left as Veterans would be in background. However, you can’t interrupt the ceremony although you can move about “stealthily.”
Plan for Senator Dole. He comes at 10:30 and leaves about 12:00. If you are planning to do a big group picture, I would choose to go around him and then let your Veterans tour the Memorial and then get back to him. He is most likely to be there on Saturday although....he pops in like he owns the place...and he might!!! A difficult call as sometimes you will lose your veterans to the Senator which can throw all your planning out the window.
PANORAMAS
This is a panoramic picture composed of four pictures stitched together. It’s a nice place to assemble but lacks any visual impact in the background. ***If you get stuck in this position, you can take four images which overlap by forty percent and I can stitch them together for you. About fifty people here.
Here a few tight shots which make good visuals.
I also use a variety of photo filters to occasionally "save" a bad picture. Color is your friend!
DOCUMENT YOUR HUB
PHOTOGRAPHING THE LEADERSHIP AND KEY FIGURES ON LOCATION IS IMPORTANT FOR WEB USE, PUBLICITY, ETC. MAKE SURE YOU USE THE MEMORIAL LOCATION TO ITS MAXIMUM EFFECT. HERE EARL MORSE, ROLLAND KIDDER, VICE CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER OF FRIENDS OF THE WWII MEMORIAL, JEFF MILLER AND GEORGE KERESTES WERE ASSEMBLED FOR PEOPLE MAGAZINE SO I MADE USE OF THE TIME.
If you have the opportunity, get the leadership with Senator Dole. He doesn't endorse many causes and his name value is extraordinary.
If you get an extraordinary guest like General Powell, make sure you have someone at the Homeland Drive parking spot to greet them and escort them to the veterans.
If you have a celebrity like General Powell, make sure you have an assigned person to meet them and guide
them to your group. If they have a pleasant experience, they will take the opportunity to come back. It's as good press for them as for you.
THIS IS ALSO A GOOD TIME TO TALK ABOUT FILL FLASH.
IMAGE STORAGE AND CORRECTION
Here’s the image as it came off the camera. You don’t have to live with that if you get a basic mastery of Photoshop or hire someone for about $35.00 per hour.
Cropping the image. On the left, you can see the various filters that can be applied to the image and on the right, a number of “adjustment panels”which allow you to enhance the image.
It’s my personal opinion that if we let the camera define what we saw, then we are allowing ourselves to be deceived. The original picture is fine but it’s not cropped and color corrected to capture the spirit of the day.
Be Ready!!!
Photo Organization and Distribution
I use zenfolio to store my images because it works both as a phenomenally inexpensive backup for my images, a gallery with print capabilities and also does my social media and can be used for slideshows and presentations.
FOLDERS OF IMAGES FOR EACH EVENT AND TRIP CAN BE USED FOR FAMILIES, SOCIAL MEDIA, SLIDES SHOWS FOR FUND RAISING,
FOLDERS OF IMAGES FOR EACH EVENT AND TRIP CAN BE USED FOR FAMILIES, SOCIAL MEDIA, SLIDES SHOWS FOR FUND RAISING,
IMAGES CAN BE USED FOR PRESENTATIONS, SLIDE SHOWS, ETC....THEY ARE ALL STORED FULL RESOLUTION
PRINTING INTERFACE ALLOWS YOU TO SELL PRINTS, GIVE AWAY PRINTS, SHIP PRINTS
The advantage of a digital system like this is that you can send prints off from your desktop rather than going to the store and they will be delivered wherever you specify eliminating packing and the trip to the post office...
BLOGGING INTERFACES CAN BE EASILY CHANGED
IMAGES ON BLOG ARE CHOSEN FROM YOUR FOLDERS SO EASY UPLOAD
FILL FLASH! THROW THAT LIGHT...REMOVE THOSE SUNGLASSES....
PHOTOSHOP FILTERS
KOREAN COPYRIGHT
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WWII MEMORIAL:
2014 FALL SEASON WRAP UP
As we coast to the end of the Honor Flight Flying Season, I’ve already made reservations for the Summit. I photographed over one hundred Honor Flight hubs at the Memorial this year and with good results. Fortunately, the Memorial and the Mall also serve as a test bed for a variety of manufacturer equipment tests and updates and revisions to the books. The selects below are destined for the next editions of the DC PHOTO BOOK and the WWII MEMORIAL book. The Memorial is gaining character by the day and the ingenuity of greeters and well-wishers is astonishing. Visitor numbers to the WWII Memorial are the highest for any Memorial and it has become a draw for not only those of us who had family in the war but also for foreign visitors, re-enactors, and evening concerts.
Jeff Miller, co-founder of Honor Flight looking over the book with a veteran who visits frequently with his son and meets the Honor Flights. Capital Region Honor Flight was just created to fill that need and we will be displaying together at the Summit.
Honor Flight Chicago’s ceremony and photo opportunities are so well organized that I have time to play with the image. Click on the pan to see a folder full of images from that day.
Dave Smith and crew of San Diego Honor Flight are always well-prepared and we get this enormous photograph done in fifteen minutes. As you are choosing a place to photograph your group, I recommend “center stage” as Washington’s significant symbols are visible and in my thinking, vital to fund-raising. You also have room to spread out. and work quickly. Prepare your guardians to get their veterans into place quickly and efficiently. Gjon Mili, a famous Life Magazine photographer once said that a good image is “Ninety percent preparation and ten percent serendipity” to which another famous Life Magazine photographer Arnold Newman replied No you are wrong… It’s ninety percent furniture moving and ten percent serendipity.” In any event, ******I want to refer you all again to my essay entitled “HERDING CATS : Photographing Veterans at the WWII Memorial” where I try to pinpoint some of better positions for photography.
These images showcase Washington’s extraordinary light. On the Mall, the sun has a chance to cast that golden glow right down the Mall right until it drops behind Arlington Memorial Cemetery. An evening walk is always a pleasure and an opportunity.
The White House News Photographers wrote up the WWII Memorial project recently. It’s nice to be noticed by such a prestigious group of photographers, videographers and editors. I have been a member since 1982. We have all worked the White House and currently some of us still do. The rest are spread around the world and all involved in pretty interesting projects. Thanks to the web, we are able to share resources and ideas. In late January, there is a contest and the incredible results are available on our website.
Printings of both the DC PHOTO BOOK and WWII Memorial: Jewel of the Mall books have just arrived at the warehouse. Make your plans now for holiday gifts. If you are on the Mall, you can find the books at the FDR, Guest Services at the Korean Memorial and at the Jefferson. They can be autographed through the studio and had unsigned through Amazon. Please continue to get in touch with the studio for case supplies. Shipping is free with the 2014 prices and will continue on through next year.
The Korean War Veterans Memorial poster, which we are donating to Honor Flights transitioning to Korea with the DC PHOTO BOOK, has been reordered due to its popularity. The poster above is given only to Honor Flight hubs and is not sold with the book at stores or other outlets.
We took down the show at the Women in Military Service For America Memorial last week. Thank you all for making it such a success. The Women in Military Service For America Memorial continue to welcome veterans groups for a lunch stop and will prepare the Memorial for your groups’ comfort. It is one of the beautiful and restful places on the Mall and the terrace view is stunning.
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Jeff Miller and Earl Morse, co- founders of @Honor Flight Network at the WWII Memorial with @Rolland Kidder of Frtiends of the WWII Memorial and George Kerestes of the National Park Service Volunteers.
BIG NEWS: Once again our co-founders Earl Morse and Jeff Miller are receiving much deserved recognition. Everyone knows the amount of time and effort they have spent on Honor Flight and I have had the privilege to be a spectator. This year, the Honor Flight Network will have flown over 150,000 veterans to the WWII Memorial. As a publisher with a book on the WWII Memorial, I tried to get the book out through any number of government agencies but private action seems to be the most effective and so Honor Flight has probably given away some 70000 book to their intended audience, WWII Veterans. I am honored to have all of you as friends and think it’s great that Jeff and Earl have gotten this honor.
From the Hendersonville Lightning Paper:
“Saturday will be the first time he has ever been on the same stage with honorees whose names are known instantly across America and even worldwide.
Miller, the Hendersonville native who cofounded the Honor Flight Network with Air Force veteran Earl Morse of Ohio, will join former President Bill Clinton, “the Greatest” — Muhammad Ali — football star Kurt Warner, actress Jane Seymour and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, as 2014 Caring Award winners on Saturday in Scottsdale, Ariz. Bob Dole and Tom Daschle, co-chairs of the Caring Institute, announced the 2014 Caring Award winners. The awards will go to 10 adults and six young people who have made extraordinary and lasting efforts that benefit society. They will be recognized at the Caring Awards Ceremony at the Omni Montelucia Resort and inducted into the Caring Hall of Fame.
“We are honored to celebrate these extraordinary people who have used their lives for the benefit of others,” said former Sen. Dole. “These persons honor us all by the quality of their lives, so it is highly appropriate that we honor them and hold them up as role models to be emulated by all,” added former Sen. Daschle.
Of all the honorees, only Miller and Morse and philanthropist Don Tapia are not household names or figures well known in the entertainment and sports world. Miller and Morse will be recognized for “Honoring Those Who Have Honored the Nation with their Service.” “Miller and Morse are co-founders of the Honor Flight Network which helps veterans of all ages travel to Washington in order to visit the World War II Memorial and other monuments dedicated to their service,” the The Caring Institute said. “To date, Honor Flight has paid to bring more than 150,000 World War II veterans to Washington where they can meet old comrades, share memories of the past, and receive a well-deserved round of applause from the public and its leaders. By creating Honor Flight, Miller and Morse have shined a light on forgotten heroes who deserve our thanks and our respect.””
In the midst of all this, George Kerestes mentions that he has just given a tour to Susan Howe of Arizona and I had the opportunity to make this picture of them in front of the Memorial and with Senator Dole. Serendipity is pretty common at the Memorial so I no longer rely on schedules.
And George Kerestes was mingling about with his partner in crime Al Doehring who's venue
And the usual suspects...
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Mary Pettinato takes her photography seriously and I am convinced that it is invaluable to her fund raising and awareness in Chicago where it's hard to get attention. Her organization of the ceremony is precise and the whole ceremony takes less than 20 minutes.
The photographers wear blue shirts and are the only ones allowed (guardians in green and medics in red) to be in the front area while the ceremony is going on. The five of us photographers and videographers have it well rehearsed. It seems each of us has a favorite position and lens for the ceremony. I am obviously biased about the importance of good photography and it's role in fund raising and urge everyone to make sure you sure you bring back good photographs. This Wednesday, Donald Rumsfeld, former Secretary of Defense, joined Honor Flight for their ceremony and was well-received by the veterans. He took the time to participate in the ceremony and was as always very gracious and good-humored.
Local volunteers Renda Overbo and Deb Stevens tipped me off to a special performance of the Air Force Drill Team. I boy love it and am desperately afraid when these troops start throwing those bayonets. I noticed that the Marine Drill team removes the bayonets before they start tossing but I didn't see that here. Keep practicing boys and make sure you have a medic available. Don't be trying this at home. It was a great show, the weather was absolutely perfect and the view from the Air Force Memorial reminds me of why I live in Washington. It is absolutely gorgeous and this Summer has been a dream!
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"BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME!"
The Fall Flying Season is on and Honor Flight Hubs are arriving almost daily. There are over 136 hubs spread across 42 states. They all fly several times a year so it's looking pretty successful. I try to stop by as often as possible as it remains an exciting experience. As a jaundiced photojournalist, I don't expect much of Washington but the Washington region has stepped up to the plate and let fly for Honor Flight. Four local hubs greet the flights, and behind the scenes, there are untold and uncounted volunteers like Glen Anderson who resupply the hubs with oxygen . Danielle Sturgis and Kathleen Drennan of DCA Honor Flight Volunteers are organizing not only daily and weekend greeting parties but also "Super Saturdays." Recently some seven hundred veterans and their guardians were greeted with signs, hugs, handshakes and salutes on one of these Saturdays. The schedule of "Super Saturdays" is posted on the DCA Honor Flight Volunteer website.
It is refreshing to document the enormous generosity of the thousands of volunteers and organizers and to date, I have almost 34,000 photographs stored in my online image library. On this particularly hot day,
water was being dispensed to every visitor at the Memorial whether they are part of Honor Flight or not. Dave Nichols,
board member of Honor Flight, was directing buses , Navy Volunteers lined up to sing and school children held their signs high to cheer the veterans as they entered the Memorial from Homeland Drive .
Let me just point out a few people. Dawn Jones (lower right) and her husband are at the Memorial regularly as is WWII, Korea and Vietnam veteran and cameraman SPC Peter "Rupy" Ruplemas (left). His son and daughter-in-law drive him down from West Virginia so that he can sit at the Memorial and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow veterans. I was privileged to receive a signed copy of his books and was able to give him one of mine. Tres cool! Members of the White House News Photographers regularly come down to the Memorial to do stories and recently my "cuz" and world-class photographer David Burnett recently photographed him for an upcoming magazine piece. Appropriately, David uses a prewar 1932 Speed Graphic fitted with an aerial lens. The results should be interesting.
In addition to the WWII Memorial, the veterans spend their day in a variety of DC venues usually guided by a local Honor Flight Volunteer saving the cost of flying a guardian into town. Meanwhile, airport fire crews are filling their trucks with water to spray down the planes for ceremonial arrivals and departures. Canisters of oxygen and wheelchairs are being moved and replaced as necessary for the many elderly veterans that require it. Air Crews sometimes come into town with the veterans and the BWI Brownies lead by Keith Gentry and Ralph Brignia back and forth between airports escorting buses. The activity around Honor Flight is absolutely stunning. It is in fact Monumental!
An enormous amount of energy and organization that makes all of this possible. As I photographed the finished Memorial in 2004,I never suspected that the Memorial would have such a spectacular outcome. Senator and Mrs. Dole are there on a regular basis. Jim McLaughlin and Dianne Gressey from Honor Flight Network's National Hub are in town regularly with "Lone Eagle" and "TLC" veterans who join with hubs at BWI. For a photographer, it's a visual fiesta and below are just a few of the people I see at the Memorial on a regular basis.
It’s a weekend "happening" for veterans, their children and families. The enormous camaraderie's that has grown up between everyone participating in Honor Flights is amazing.
Friends of the WWII Memorial regularly put on concerts at the Mall and here the Marine Band was playing when Oregon's Honor Flights arrived for a first row seat.
Honor Flight Indiana produces 20 x 30 inch posters of each veteran ion their uniforms and distributes it for their group picture. The veterans below had a variety of uses for the poster on that hot day.
Honor Flight Chicago (above) comes in every three weeks and conducts their ceremonies with military precision and four photographers.
*****I have written a quick essay entitled "Herding Cats" about photographing groups of veterans on the Mall. I think it's helpful. Most important is getting it done quickly as it's pretty Sunny out there on the Mall.
The ever-dancing Theresa Werner and James Martin have amazing energy. They are tireless and had been dancing for several hours when I took this image on a sweltering 94 degree day.
In conclusion, if I don't see you on the Mall this Fall, I hope to see you at the Summit!
The show at the Women in Military Service For America Memorial will be coming down November 2nd. I am happy that quite a few of the hubs were able to get by and see it. Nothing like having the finished product on display. The Women in Military Service For America Memorial welcome veterans groups for a lunch stop and will prepare the Memorial for your groups' comfort. It is one of the nicest and quietest places on the Mall and the terrace view is stunning.
While we have ample supplies of the DC PHOTO BOOK, I am down to the last few cases of the WWII Memorial: Jewel of the Mall. I have just approved the proofs for another printing which will be coming in October 21st. Make your plans now for holiday gifts. Amazon always carries a supply and if you a Prime member, shipping is free. My plans for letting Amazon handle case quantities seems to be unworkable so please continue to get in touch with the studio for case supplies.
The Korean War Veterans Memorial poster, which we are donating to Honor Flights transitioning to Korea with the DC PHOTO BOOK, has been reordered due to its popularity. The poster below is given to only Honor Flights and is not sold with the book at stores or other outlets.
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On Friday morning , I left Watkins Glen, New York and essentially followed any road that said South and as it turned out Rte 5 was a stroke of luck as it rambled through rural picturesque scenery for about one hundred miles. I carry an iPad Mini as well as a GPS and so am not particularly worried about riding on a nice roads. I stop frequently for pictures so always have an opportunity to be within twenty miles of my "true" course. I got lost on the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of years ago and was chatting with a Canadian biker who told me that in Canada, "lost" means "visiting." And so I cam upon Williamsport, Pennsylvania and found both the Little League Hall of Fame and the Transportation Museum neither of which I have the slightest interest in so moving on....
My goal for the evening was Lancaster County, Pennylvania and so I broke my small road rule and got on Rte_______ which allowed me to test out the F800 ST as a long distance touring bike. In addition to its lightweight 412 pounds, the fuel tank is below the seat and the wide "Western bars allowed for a smooth and thanks to the 4" bar back relatively upright and civilized ride. There was quite a bit of traffic and as my riding strategy tends to be "stay ahead of the crowd", the bike did an easy ninety with a bit of wind boas but that's why I ride. The bike is also outfitted with some stopping Brembo Brakes and in conjunction with the ABS, I found that this machine is a nimble speedster capable of doing miles and miles. My first inclination was to get rid of the Coo Case sitting on the back of the bike as it makes it look huge. However, it is the moto equivalent of a convenient trunk and has brake and urn signals that work with the bike's paddles. It also makes you more VISIBLE which is this biker greatest wish.
II primarily used an IPAD MINI for navigation and while I think it's a bit large to be mounted on the bars, have a tank bag with a map cover which hold the Mini and a map. Not something you should be consulting while moving!
Lancaster, Pa...
My many photo stops left me getting into Lancaster County late and I was concerned as the light was getting just right so I quickly checked in and in the next hour managed to get the following pictures. Some days you eat the bear, some days, he eats you. I was a pretty happy crittere before I got back to the hotel.
A "find" on a BMW F800ST motorcycle located just above the Finger Lakes in Camden, New York presented an opportunity for a perfect late Summer ride. I try to buy used motorcycles in locations as far away as I have time and can reasonably ride home. This gives me a certain flexibility and an opportunity for a good deal. I am not so much looking for a "great deal" (although I've done pretty well) as I am a" great ride."
I have to carry books and cameras around Washington, DC and like a narrow profile for lane splitting (legal here in DC) and hard bags. Riding a motorcycle allows you to park quickly just about anywhere on the National Mall and particularly at the WWII Memorial where the fines for cars parking are $250.00. A small light bike can be tucked away and the National Park Service police have been great about ignoring me. The F800ST has been on my radar since it first came out. It is light, narrow and has integrated luggage. It's also got ABS brakes, a belt drive and "looks" sensible!
In 1988, I spent four weeks in the Upstate New York working on a chapter for a Nattional Geographic book: "America's Great Hideaways." The editorial "wish list" was both encyclopedic and exhausting:: Fall foliage, boats, hot air balloons, gliders, museums, sailing and the Finger Lakes themselves....an enormous area. Worse yet, I arrived after Labor Day so boating on the lakes was non-existent, the leaves were falling fast and it seemed the rainiest Fall in history. Every article demands "centerpiece" photos and as the Finger Lakes have a long and illustrious aviation history so I managed to make these two notable aerial pictures the centerpiece pictures for my chapter. The images were spectacular enough that no one noticed there was NO BOATING pictures! This little expedition seemed a good time to rectify that. The seller and I agreed on a price and concluded it through Ebay and I used Paypal to move the money. Ready to go! and with few expectations and a bit of knowledge about about the region, I set off
A Note about Evaluating the Bike in a Long Distance Sale
The seller John Ebensperger is an adjunct professor of aviation maintenance and long time EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) member. Given his credentials, I was pretty confident that the bike was in good shape. I've had good luck with this type of buy and have bought three bikes in this seemingly casual manner. If you are worried about the condition of the bike, I would recommend you ask the seller to drop the bike off at the dealer and let them change the oil and give it a test drive. A prior buy with a Honda 599 with a large scratch on the transmission case prompted me to do this and it worked out quite well. I keep in touch with the people I se There's no telling what kind of trickery awaits you but as long as you stay within the EBAY world, you are covered for dishonest sellers. I've read a lot of information on bringing a flash light and checking this out and checkin that out but quite frankly, I rely on EBAY'S standing by the transaction. I have absolutely no mechanical prowess and sometimes you just have to rely on your judgement. My long distance buys have all "paid for themselves" in pleasure of the first long ride on the way home. I usually customize the bikes to my liking and sell them every two to these years when it's TIME for a new bike and this was time. The Summer had been good, I had a few days and the buyer was motivated as well. We met at a reasonable price and I found a flight for Syracuse! John picked me up at the airport and we drove out to his house and there was the bike as advertised in pristine condition. No need to even test it. John then proceeded to show me his little project: an experimental bi-plane he's been building in his basement for the past ten years. Seeing this, my confidence in the transaction was confirmed and I strapped by traveling bag to the bike and took off. As we concluded the tour of the biplane and the motorcycle, it was getting a bit late in the afternoon, so I chose to stay at Cinderellas Motel in Sylvan Beach about fifteen miles South of Camden, New York. It's not fancy but it has. clean rooms and good food and home made ice cream so I was comfortably set with a new bike and a ready supply of my favorite treats! |
I checked in, unloaded the bike and had a chance to get accustomed tho the new bike exploring the local roads, the shoreline of Lake Oneida and the Sylvan Beach Park.. One of the entrances and Marinas built along the Erie Canal system enters Oneida Lake at Sylvan Beach. My brother Dan had taken his Belkov cruiser up from Long Island through the Canal system on his way to Montreal. Our traveling paths intersected several times along the trip.
While wandering the waterfront, I found this entrance to the Erie Canal and ran into some fellow bikers and we talked bikes. In Sylvan Beach, everyone seems to have one or two or more and it's considered quite "sensible". Sylvan Beach like many upstate New York communities has a Wednesday "car night". The enthusiasm for motorcycling and cars in up North must be directly in proportion to the short riding season! Jim Laribee gave me the scoop on the most interesting roads from Camden to Seneca Lake and I had an extraordinary day. The BMW behaved just like I thought it would...smooth, quick, light and leisurely. The Brembo brakes with stainless steel lines are extremely effective. They are so impressive that I have changed out the lines on my Suzuki.
The town ceter is a gazebo where a very cool jazz band played for a couple of hours and I was able to hear jazz as I strolled around s a local amusement park. Might be another book but lets get on with this delivery
Thanks to Jim Wilbu'sr (ck sp) execellent directions, I took Route 13 South right out of Sylvan Beach took me along the Eastern shore of Lake Oneida and after stopping any number of times to photograph, I had to remind myself once again that this was a "delivery" and not an assignment. I rode about forty miles of beautiful road (Routes 13 and 23) and then went West on Route 20 which is the road that keeps you at the Northern end of the lakes and is just perfect for a motorcycle ride. I also had the opportunity to visit Chittenango Falls and stop for this picture. One of the biggest problems with scenic photography is getting your car out of the way and a bike makes it easy...and dangerous if you are not careful.
I stopped briefly in the town of Skanateles for coffee and watt in this beautiful park. I had made the balloon photographs with Skanaeteles in the background. This part of New York state was America's financial frontier prosperous and New York State has begun a tax program to draw tech industries to the surplus of beautiful real estate and an well-educated labor pool. Unfortunately, it's no place for a motorcyclist in Winter! As you can see in photo( right below), some of America's largest industrialists (Rossevelt, _____,, Stanford White....) built their houses along the lake. In addition to exploring any number of antique stores, the lake can be exploreed by bike ,Kayak or more luxuriously in the __________ steamer ferry.
Following Route 20 West, you pass through Auburn, New York which is right on the Erie Canal and you can see they are restoring the beautiful warehouse right along the Canal. Delivery in mind, I continued along 20 and after an hour took a left into what proved an amazing find...one of New York State's great public works--Seneca State Park--located right at the top of Seneca Lake and a beautiful opportunity to explore the lake. The Park has a number of public areas including a Marina. I took an hour lazing under a willow tree and gazing at the clear waters of the lake.
Auburn New York Photos
Seneca Lake State Park Photos
Just after Seneca Lake Park, you merge with Route 14 which is as "highly scenic road" as it parallels Seneca Lake for almost forty miles and scenes like those above and below abound. . The Finger Lakes are "wine country" and it is rumored that the proximity of the grapes to the Lake and other variables make for the excellent varieties of wine available in this area. Geneva which is at the top of the lake is also the site of tourist facilities like Belhurst Castle which it is rumored has wine coming out of the taps just outside guest rooms! It was apparently built by a bootlegger running spirits in from Canada.
I had booked reservations whimsically at the oh so aptly named "Gorgeous View" hotel whose room refrigerator was stocked with "free" fruit juices and snack bars and chairs outside the room to take in the expansive lake view. Well worth the stay and just a mile or two North of Watkins Glen . Highly recommended as a quiet and comfortable place to rest. The Glen Motor Inn just across the road has great food and more great views!
After a short nap, I rode into Watkins Glen and found all of the boats I had been looking for twenty five years below. I remember walking out to the Seneca Pier (below left) in the pouring rain and thinking this could be a great place to photograph s if we just had sun and light. If you keep coming back, you get what you need As you can see, there is plenty happening on the Lake. NASCAR was in town to race at Watkins Glen. The traffic was pretty heavy and the BMW proved extremely nimble.
Moto Photo Day Two due August 26.
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Based on sales history., there are "just enough" WWII MEMMORIAL: JEWEL OF THE MALL books to cover the flying season Normally deliveries take five to seven days. As always, please get as much information as you can for hotel deliveries.... and please ignore me when I get cranky about hotel deliveries! Books come in cases of twenty and samples are available. Email me at [email protected]
Free Shipping .through the end of the year.
... Some of the hubs sell the book and I am happy that it becomes "self-supporting" in that context I am delighted to be part of this effort.
DC PHOTO BOOK: An Insider's View of Washington, DC is the most comprehensive and current coffee table book on Washington today. It contains unique Memorial and Mall vistas and is the only book current with the new Air Force Memorial, the 9/11 Memorial and unprecedented views of Arlington Memorial. I consider the books historic document and they are updated every time there's something worth photographing! With the free poster, it is perfect for Honor Flight Hubs transitioning to Korea and Vietnam. The six pages on Vietnam are classic images made the day the Wall opened. It was an amazing day and the images are a perfect tribute to our Vietnam Vets.
IY'S SUMMERTIME....DOWNLOAD A SAMPLE OF THE EPUBS! I am working to introduce the book into educational curricula as many school systems across the country are adopting tablets. The luminance of the backlit screen makes the images stand out far better than paper. These E-ditions can be hooked up to a projector and distributed and reproduced in large quantity at relatively no cost. It's free....and it's smart and all three books work on both Android and iPhone devices. They can also be used on the buses to aid your passengers in their sometimes confusing trip around DC.
Work (if I dare call what I do "work") continues on the new edition of TIDEWATER: The Chesapeake Bay in Photographs. The photograph of the Heron below is one of my recent favorites and will be included with a few new images from my recent travels on the Bay.
****Don't forget, to plan your photograph!y I have put some tips for photographing at the Memorial on my website. I just added a couple of pictures and it's constantly updated..
***If you are an Honor Flight leader, consider using the Women in Military Service For America Memorial for a lunch stop as they have the three things missing on the Mall: a comfortable place to sit, cold water and most importantly, clean and comfortable restrooms. The cost of setting up tables for your veterans in the air conditioned luxury of the Women's Memorial is about one-fifth of the price of a tent rental (when that was possible) at the WWII Memorial! Better yet, your vets get to see the construction and night views through my images. Book in advance by emailing Donna Houle, the Director of the Memorial Education Center. Her phone number is 703-892-2606. While you're there, make sure you visit the terrace level of the Memorial.
***As you exit the elevator, you will find yourself right in the very center of the cemetery looking out to the Lincoln Memorial. It's quite a panorama--so nice in fact that I donated two pages to it in my DC PHOTO BOOK.
This show will be coming down end of September. It was not originally intended to be up this long and while it has survived the blazing sun and humidity in the Women In Military Service Memorial Building, it needs some sprucing up. Prints are always available at the Image Bank.
Senator Dole's "back on the prowl". In the last month or so, he has been making a grand round of Kansas's ninety counties and his attorney Marion Warren reports that he is getting more press than ever. His political style is something we yearn for here in DC. Maybe it's time for a comeback! Anyway, it's nice to him on his feet again. He's been at the WWII Memorial every weekend this year with the always charming Senator Elizabeth Dole. They are pictured here with John MW. McCaskill, John Liszewski, and C. Patrick McCourt. DC Volunteers from all three airports and the WWII Memorial are a credit to the city. I am proud to be able to document your efforts although as everyone seems to be taking great pictures, we have great memories to share.
Susan Eisenhower, the featured speaker for the D-Day anniversary is pictured above left with retired General Pat Foote who was on the original site selection committee and is active on the Board of Friends of the WWII Memorial. On the right, Mary Reichart and Erin Winstead of Honor Flight Network Kansas City were brought their veterans so they could be present to celebrate the victory.
Honor Flight veterans were joined by veterans of other countries for the ceremonies while re-enactors and military honor guards filled the Memorial Plaza greeting veterans and contributing tot the festive atmosphere.
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The ceremony for the tenth anniversary of the WWII Memorial was splendid. I arrived early and was able to photograph almost everyone pre event. Having worked on this project for a while, it was delightful to see and photograph everyone from Honor Flight, Friends, the National Park Service and the Pentagon. Senators Marci Kaptur, Robert Dole and Elizabeth Dole were on hand for a photograph as were many of the original board members of the site selection committee. Ray and Sherry Kaskey and Friedrich St. Florian were looking quite fashionable. It's a beautiful Memorial and is certainly a great architectural symbol upon which to practice my craft. I put together a little slideshow and if you have a minute.... Enjoy!
Lieutenant General Claude “Mick” Kicklighter, U.S. Army (Retired) was the Master of Ceremonies and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hegel was the featured speaker. As a photographers, listening to speeches is not mandatory so I turned my attention to the wildly enthusiastic crowd and a group of portraits of friends who I have gotten to know over the past ten years.
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur who initiated the legislation and Senator Bob Dole who worked with her to make it happen. The Memorial was funded almost entirely by private citizens. Brigadier General (ret.) Pat Foote (right) was on the initial site selection committee for the Memorial and helped found and is on the board of "Friends of the WWII Memorial". She is a force of nature, a strong ally and a good friend. Her license plates read "Go Gurl."
Ray and Sherry Kaskey and to the right Robin Owen and Bob Vogel of the National Park Service with Holly Rotondi, Director of Friends of the WWII Memorial andLieutenant General Claude “Mick” Kicklighter, U.S. Army (Retired)
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Draketail style fishing boat
Dock at Calvert County Maritime Museum
Calvert County Screw Point Lighthouse
]]>Lily Mae Red Eagle and Franklin Macon. Franklin was one of the Tuskeegee Airmen.
Mary Haddon, her son Mike Haddon and Tom Olson.
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Distinctly tropical..
The Osprey are as bold as I ever seen them. There is actually a couple with a nest on the West Jetty. I've never seen Ospreys spend much time in such a vulnerable location and as you can see this fellow on the piling here wasn't flying although we came close. Good for photography!
The sailing on the Bay has been extraordinary this Spring with all sorts of watercraft passing through the shipping lane. We have a diesel engine which can be started immediately as there is nothing more terrifying than "five blasts of the horn" from an oncoming ship. This means: "You're totally screwed...Save yourself because we think we're going to hit you!" After thirty years, I still treat the channel crossing with caution as you only have eighteen minutes to position yourself before these large vessels are on you. The Channel runs zigzag just around the Southern end of Tilghman Island so it's difficult at times to see whether you are safe. And that is why God invented the telephoto lens!
Looked like practice for the Herrington Harbor Sailing Association...keeping it trim. They had quite a few boats out this weekend.
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Tidal BasiinInfrared capture run through photoshop
The Honor Flights are rolling through. At one time, Senator Dole and I had a bit of a contest to see who could greet the most Honor Flights. At the time, there were perhaps eight flights operating. Now there are over 161 separate hubs most making several flights a year so now I simply go down to the WWII Memorial and know something will be brewing.
Honor Flight ChicagoFirst flight of 2014
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I took this photograph as I dropped Jeff Miller co-founder of Honor Flight at the Lincoln Memorial this morning. He’s here to help with a group of 450 Korean War veterans from Nebraska. And Senator Dole has been sighted at the WWII Memorial so the SEASON IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY! I’m choosing to think of this morning’s snow as Winter’s parting photo gift Rumor has it that on April 8th the Cherry Blossoms will flourish and it will be hard to distinguish the trees from the photographers. I have all new cameras including a modified infrared body I’ve been testing for a couple of weeks now and I am excited to see the results.
I’d like to thank everyone who showed up at the book signing at the International Spy Museum this last weekend. The weather was mild and everyone seemed to take the signing as an opportunity to revisit the downtown area . The area around the Spy Museum has been rehabilitated and revitalized. Within five blocks, there are probably ten photographic exhibits worth seeing.This is the best town in the galaxy to be a photographer.
I will also be signing books at Eastern National’s Cherry Blossom booths along the Tidal Basin in early April. More to come on this. It’s hard to say I work for a living when I can sign books on the Tidal Basin and then wander off to take pictures when the light is perfect. The Park Service and Eastern National have really worked on the amenities at the Tidal Basin and so it makes for a memorable afternoon. A five star DC experience.
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]]>Spring is fast approaching but not even spies know when the Cherry Blossoms will appear. They are however in my DC PHOTO BOOK and I will be signing copies at the International Spy Museum on March 22nd and 23rd in anticipation of their arrival. I will be there from 1-3 PM on Saturday and Sunday and am looking to come out of the experience stealthier than ever!
I am delighted to be represented by this world class facility. I went down this afternoon to hang out with James Bond! Dude has some great wheels and the exhibits are first class. The upstairs is mostly historical and iIt must have taken endless negotiation to acquire the priceless and unusual artifacts in the exhibit including the “Enigma” machine which was used to decipher code during WWII.
Not surpringly, In it’s first two years, the Spy Museum attracted over five million visitors and in 2017 is moving to a new location just across from the Convention Center.
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]]>Diane Gresse and her Honor Flight Network team put together a spectacular weekend. Flawless! The Honor Flight Summit was well-attended with a record 215 hub directors, volunteers and speakers. It was quite an event kicked off with a Friday reception which included everything from swing dancers to information stations where Friends of the WWII Memorial, Women in Military Service to America and vendors like myself were able to discuss our services. You can see more photographs at the Image Library. They are downloadable for personal use. Both Jeff Miller and Earl Morse were there and able to give advice to new Honor Flights. Their ability to allocate tickets and funds has helped many flights get rolling.
I had the most popular table at the reception as my “Booth Babes” Danielle Sturgis and Kathy Drennan got out in the crowd and sold $400.00 worth of books which I donated, signed and personalized for attendees. The money goes to their newly formed Capital Region Honor Flight along with another case of books to get them started. Capital Region Honor Flight. Kathy Griffith and Jana Erikson were there to represent the DC Volunteers.
The Washington DC vicinity has come all out for Honor Flight and this newly formed hub is an example. Deb Stevens and Renda Overbo joined up with Mary Pettinato of Chicago to mastermind another ten perfectly organized trips for the year. Chicago has a spiffy new website as do many of the hubs. A far cry from 2005 when we were working with digital rocks!
Keith Gentry (shown with Lisa and Jo-Anne Wylie of Honor Flight Buffalo) and Ralph Brignac were on hand to represent the BWI BROWNIES who provide escort service. They coordinate with the various police motorcycle units that provide escort duty to hubs. DC has a number of events which disrupt traffic and if you have chosen one of those days, get in touch with the Network offices to arrange an escort. It is now a centralized operation at the request of the National Park Police.
Saturday was a long and informative day comprised of both general assemblies and break out sessions to address specific issues: health and safety, transportation and fund raising. Jim McLauglin discussed some new funding successes and issues and the amounts of money and tickets that will be distributed to hubs if they are having problems with funding. Honor Flight has received some large donations and they are passing them on to the Network.
Lisa Wylie addressed obtaining non-profit status while Dave Smith and a number of others addressed fund raising. Dave Nichols did a seminar on social media early Sunday. Saturday’s dinner was marked by remarkable music by local school children. Superintendent Bob Vogel of the National Park Service was recognized for his support for the Honor Flight Network during the “Shut Down”. His adroit handling of the situation and willingness to work with Honor Flight resolved a potentially disastrous situation and allowed several thousand veterans to visit the National WWII Memorial during a difficult period. I would personally like to mention board member Dave Nichols who was there throughout the strike and who’s calm demeanor also kept things humming nicely.
I am very proud as well to have received an award from the Network for my contributions which have been a great pleasure. I believe in serendipity and the books are perfectly in alignment with the Network’s goals. It’s a delight to have such direct contact with readers.
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]]>I had the opportunity to make some new infrared images at Herrington Harbour Marina and thought I would share the results with you. For “repeatable” results, it’s best to set the camera on automatic and bracket one-half stop in each direction. More importantly, setting the “white balance” on the camera (see lifepixel website) is essential if you want control over the skies. Too much or too little exposure makes the sky go yellow which is cool but I am looking for that oddly phosphorescent blue? I have been adding a bit of “diffuse glow” to some of the images although I have found the limited color gives the images a 3D look without much help.
This beach scene with the small birch trees ending up looking pretty ominous on a sunny blue sky. I suspect the Cherry Blossoms will be spectacular using this infrared as the conditions to date are probably the worst imaginable for this kind of work…which gives us something to look forward to!!! You can see a few hundred infrared images (some straight from the camera) at my image gallery. You might also want to look over my 2010 article on using glass filters on an unmodified camera.
To show you the “normal” view from an unmodified camera, I processed two pictures made with a Canon S100 at approximately the same time with the same sky. I have no idea what the market for this type of imagery is but it’s gotten some pretty nice feedback. It’s a mix of graphics, photography and technology. And I can also see it’s use in advertising as it might be an incredibly useful tool for creating backgrounds….not that I would ever alter a picture in Photoshop….!
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]]>White balance seems to be the key to infrared photography. It’s been cold in Washington, DC and I am still not quite sure what the infrared sensor is recording and it seems that my histograms are always relatively substantial. I have been using a combination of the Lens baby which requires guessing at the exposures, a 17-50mm lens and much photoshop to achieve satisfying results. Lifepixel.com has published detailed videos and instructions on their website. and the videos are excellent.
The difference between these two photographs is in the “white balance”. I took the top photo before and the bottom after I had adjusted the white balance. Consequently, I was able to get the rich sky without the yellow cast in the lower frame . White Balance seems to be the key to successful and consistent images with the infrared camera. My next photo sally will be with both lenses and attempting to resetting the white balance with each photograph. I may even use a tripod! I believe that will make the results more consistent. As colorful as it’s been in this frigid weather, I am looking forward to working in the Spring and Summer when I think this process will shine.
I have a running gallery of images at the IMAGE LIBRARY which make good reference material. Once you have abandoned all notions at accurate color, IR photography is quite liberating.
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and the use of a variety of infrared filters is posted on this site under TIPS. At the time, I concluded that it was a lot of work for a pretty interesting result but not particularly predictable. ”Predictable” is a key word in professional photography as you are promising your clients that you will deliver. So I recently acquired a Nikon D40x which I had converted to infrared imaging by Lifepixel.com. It’s predictable and cool and compared to the earlier “filter technique” easy to use
I am not a physicist but Infrared Photography is photography using light in the invisible spectrum of the Electro Magnetic Spectrum so I am lead to believe that Infrared photography is stimulating the film or in the case of digital, the sensor, by recording the energy it emanates. That energy is supposedly not visible to the human eye so…and this is where I get confused…., you can make pictures of it? Anyway, lets leave the physics and get on to the rectangles.
Colors drop out and change and become quite striking when this technique is used and so I am going to be running a series of posts on the new camera I bought which is “Infrared.” A nice tool to add to the arsenal. The first day out, I took a series of images using a LENSBABY to simulate the shimmering look of infrared. I have posted those results at the Image Library and will continue to update you on results. I believe the “look” is impressive and different enough that it was be successful and am looking forward to making some large test prints. In the meantime, you might look at Lifepixel.com for more information…
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