Photography by John Michael

I delivered the inaugural calender – “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ to the OGLA gift shop on Monday. While I was there on Fort Myer, I had parked near the Old Post Chapel, and came across two maybe three soldiers working – planning out an upcoming final honors – it’s for SMA Bainbridge, who will be laid to rest on 28 JAN 2009.

They worked from a schematic that showed the ultimate formation of 3d Infantry soldiers and the US Army Band. Marking the pavement to assure that the mission would be executed with “OLD GUARD PRECISION” (it seems that everything I’ve ever observed about this regiment is always done in an exacting way and there are practices, planning and perfection included in all they do) I then thought about the planning, the logistics, the coordination and involvement of “creating an event” that is only done once. There’s no “do overs” with a final honors.

I think the family and friends of SMA Bainbridge will be really pleased when the SMA’s honors are done… it’s going to be perfect!