Photography by John Michael

Мерры Чристмас !

Or for those who cannot read Russian Cyrillic -

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Yes, I’m celebrating again, once is not enough.  Growing up in the wonderful state of New Jersey, I was fortunate to be raised in a multicultural and multi-religious family with mom being Roman Catholic and dad Russian Orthodox, not only did I benefit from some great heritage, language, food and customs, but there was always a longer holiday season both this time of year and others.

So today I celebrate the Orthodox holyday of Christmas and wish you good tidings.   Those fortunate to be on my mailing list, you have also recieved  in the US mail a rather elegant Christmas card celebrating one of my favorite US Army Regiments, “The Old Guard”   I didn’t want to deprive the online friends that same token (although you can’t hold it and save it for history).  So without further delay,

 

There was also an insert about the new calendar “The Old Guard on Mission – 2010″

And what’s a Christmas Card without a Christmas Letter.  

Celebrating

The Old Guard of the Army -  3d Infantry Regiment

The Christmas Card used this year is from the John Michael collection of heraldry notecards – more information is on the website

The year 2009 -  What an uplifting time!

“Flank ‘em!” The words came in December 2008 from one of my mentors in response to the challenges I was then facing.  So I did, & here at the end of 2009, I’m proud to say that I’ve touched or included in my network thousands of people who are aware of & supporting my mission of

 “Preserving the memories so others will remember… “™

There is so much to share…  It began in January, when I met with the Commander of the US Army’s Accessions Support Brigade.  Little did I know what this connection would bring and I’m very thankful for it, more than anyone will ever know.  Soon afterwards I explored how to continue to spread the word on the calendar that I had designed & published about “The Old Guard” – I did ascertain the calendar was the first ever for this historic regiment.  A notable distinction.

In January, after a trip to Fort Bragg & witnessing the graduation of a new cadre of Special Forces Soldiers, I got to meet another Medal of Honor recipient who along with two other SF veterans were inducted as Distinguished Members of the Regiment.  The research & work continued following, photographing & documenting The Presidential Salute Battery, as a new President was inaugurated late in the month.  I made a special effort to head downtown DC to capture the GUNS in action as they fired the traditional 21-Gun Salute.  Despite the difficulties of being “outside the perimeter” I witnessed & captured one of those rare events that few people ever see.  I sensed that the Soldiers on the inside of the security fence were happy that I was there, even though others were inside photographing.

In February, I had one great visit by my daughter & her friends. I treasure the time I get to spend with each of the two daughters, since life is so precious.  A milestone occurred this month when my birthday rolled around.  I continued to do research on the GUNS paying a visit to the home of US Army Ordnance & its museum at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The day spent there was very rewarding as I was offered some very illustrious materials.  It also was very serendipitous that in front of the museum was an M5 – 3” anti tank Gun that the Battery fires.

March, oh the days of this month went quickly by as I went to Fort Bragg to see & participate in the 50th year Anniversary of the US Army’s Golden Knights. Such a celebrated team of Soldiers who are the Army’s “Ambassadors from the Skies”  When they participated in the May airshow at Andrews AFB, I was fortunate to spend some time with them that augmented my earlier introduction to these great professionals.

In April, I was blessed to again spend a few days in Fayetteville, NC courtesy of my “older brother” (he hates when I say “older,” but he is!) & met the great men of the OSS,  Alamo Scouts, 1st Special Service Force, who were inducted as part of the US Army’s Special Forces Regiment. It was also when Mr. Ross Perot was made an “honorary Green Beret” for all of his ongoing support & work with SF.  I was accepted as an Associate Member of The Old Guard Association was an honor.

In June, I was honored to attend “The Army Strong Experience” at Fort Meade, MD with a select group of about 30 leaders.  It was truly special since I met the Secretary of the Army at this event along with some truly awesome Soldiers learning more about the skills & talents the US has within the US Army. Later in the month, as the Army celebrated its 234th birthday on the 14th, I was at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier capturing the solemn ceremony of a wreath placement by the Secretary, Chief of Staff and Sergeant Major of the Army – a great honor.  We also welcomed in a new Commanding General for the Military District of Washington & later as July opened, The Old Guard had a “change-of-command” with a new Regimental Commander in place.

As the Guns Platoon honored the United States of America with a 50 GUN Salute on 04 JUL on Fort Myer VA, I was there to capture the action & later accompanied them downtown DC to the Capitol, where they accompanied the Washington Symphony when Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture was performed.  One photo that I captured during the event was later published in the “PENTAGRAM”

I’ve turned many of my photographs & developed military heraldry insignia into notecards & was delighted to have them offered for sale at gift shops in :  Arlington National Cemetery, Airborne Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC,  82d Airborne Division and JFK Warfare Museums on Fort Bragg, NC

August brought another surprise, when I was nominated for the Freedom Team Salute of the  Army. It wasn’t that I was, but who nominated me.  “Thanks Jack!”  On the 15th, it was the 65th Anniversary of Operation Dragoon the SECOND D-Day & invasion of Southern France, where I met some very interesting and historic icons.  This was the month that the website www.John-Michael.net went under a major re-design that combined mostly everything I do under one location (blog, photo gallery, on-line stores)  as I write this, it’s being visited heavily though as all websites, much is needed to finish (Special thanks to Andrew for his help & suggestions!) so  keep on checking back & offer your suggestions & comments.

In September, another photograph was published in the PENTAGRAM, yes it was of the GUNS.  I began working on a 2010 Calendar for The Old Guard providing a different view of what the Soldiers are called upon to do on a on-going basis.

It was a bittersweet day in October when Fort Myer’s name became obscured by a change directed by a consolidation of facilities. Another trip to NC in the month which continued onto SC where I had the occasion to meet with two distinguished authors of outstanding books on the US Airborne.

November was a blur, so other than spending two days in NC with the US Army Golden Knights, I can’t tell what happened in those 30 days.

I released the Calendar early in December & it was welcomed along with the collection of mugs & custom stamps in the online store.

  Best regards for a great 2010!

Tags: 2010 calendar, 21 Gun Salute, 3d Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne, Arlington National Cemetery, Escort to the President, Fort Bragg, Fort Myer, Golden Knights, Guns Platoon, military, Military District of Washington, Old Guard Ladies Association, Presidential Salute Battery, Special Forces, The Old Guard, The Old Guard Association, Tomb of the Unknowns, US Army, US Army Parachute Team, US Army Special Forces, US Capitol, US Tourism, Washington DC, WW II