On Saturday 10 OCT, Honor Air Louisiana will be transporting another group of “the Greatest Generation” for a day in Washington DC to see the WW II Memorial among others and pay a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. The group sponsoring this wonderful visit has been in operation for a while and this will be their 19th trip since inception.
Their escort for the day is a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers…
GHTime Code(s): f9a6f 3b584
Add a “drop-in” visit from the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, A starting send-off by the Presidential Salute Battery from the US Army’s Old Guard combined with weather that was just perfect and one had a combination for a spectacular event -
Hosted by the US Army’s Military District of Washington, the 25th Anniversary running of the US Army Ten Miler was held this weekend with festivities beginning on Friday 02 OCT as the runners headed to the Washington DC Armory to get their credentials and spend some time perusing the array of vendors & exhibitors covering the floor of this DC Landmark.
Several of the runners had run in the first one over two decades ago were on hand to discuss “why they run…” It was quite special to encounter several people John Michael met over the years who were getting ready for the day on Sunday.
GHTime Code(s): 9f3f2 efdcc 13a37 d151bI had a small inkling of what to expect having spent many days among the Old Guard and US Army Band – “Pershing’s Own” – but after the show began, I thought different. What unfurled was a extravaganza that kept moving right up until intermission… it was fast action, informative, precision, pageantry with a heavy dose of history mixed into the delivery. I was truly impressed and after the two hours of show, my camera had recorded over 800 photos of these Soldiers in action… I’m sure the attendees in Columbus, OH and Providence, RI would have the same impression or better.
GHTime Code(s): b18a9 770e0 f0f61 718e8Recently, I spent the day at Arlington National Cemetery and captured the Presidential Salute Battery in action as they rendered honors …
I had another camera with me and decided to turn on it’s video mode. . . combined with a few photos taken before and during mission and it appears below.
GHTime Code(s): 989f8 c57e5
Most all ceremonies I attend, my emotions are contained. I attended one today that I was lost for words as I mingled among them when the ceremony was concluded. But it was afterwards the tears flowed for a part of a regiment that I’ve seen over the last decade primarily in their dress blue uniforms, executing the missions ahead – either change of commands, retirement ceremonies or even final honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Today they were dressed in their ACU’s still looking sharp as they usually do, their Battalion Commander providing them words of encouragement and assuring them they have been given the best training and were being led by the best leadership. In this the “Year of the NCO,” several NCOs were mentioned and their leadership skills praised.
Charlie Company of The Old Guard of the Army will join in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom… they will spend a year in this role. Something different from what their typical day-to-day duties have been. In Old Guard tradition, I know they’ve trained well for this mission and are going to perform in an outstanding manner. It’s just sad that a regiment that I’ve grown very attached to over the years will be sending their men to the other side of the world.
I ask all of you to keep them in your prayers over the next year and I wish them Godspeed and safe return … Hooah!
Off in the distance, the Presidential Salute Battery began firing the 21 Gun Salute, announcing the arrival of the President. So many times I’ve watched up close and personal the precise way that they execute their mission I could see in my mind’s eye, the watchman of the Battery calling each gun at precise 3 second intervals as each salute echoed through the hills of the cemetery.
One could then hear the commanders of the multi service honor guard call their troops to attention as the President approached the Tomb of the Unknown
It’s hard to describe the feelings that run through when one considers that for each of these stones, marks a contribution that always cannot be measured, or in most cases cannot be repaid.
I’ll let the photos take you there…
Do you believe that in a week you won’t be able to purchase the collector’s item…
Final Days…. Once it’s gone, it’s gone…
I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I went to Aberdeen and the US Army Ordnance Museum… which is where we left off from the last SAW installment. I had just spent the day at Mount Vernon partially with the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard who put on a wonderful display of “revolutionary” tactics and firing their “firelocks” AND The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
o the library where I was showered with attention to my requests. I spent the morning going over the provided materials and relishing in the information that I was gleaning from these treasured tomes. The door I opened again leading me to at least 6 more for me to check behind. Seems that the French 75 was a rather remarkable artillery piece for its time and was a very impressive that GEN Pershing ordered the fired the first round (and 9,999 more) to be packed up and sent back to the United States. Its place of honor after being paraded around to show the American people what we had done is at the US Military Academy – West Point Museum in New YorkTo be continued….
Subscribe in a reader
SEO services provided by Search Engine Optimization
Add blog to our blog directory.
