Add a “drop-in” visit from the US Army Golden KnightsParachute 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.
I 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.
Recently, 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.
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!
Over the years, Arlington National Cemetery has become a very special place to me. I have spent countless hours exploring, learning and capturing in photographic memories some of the significance, the solemnity, the beauty of this National Shrine to those who have given so much.
Few days stand out as much as Memorial Day, for it is over that weekend that the US Army’s 3d Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard once again goes above and beyond by placing the US colors one boot length away in front of every grave stone in the cemetery.
Normally on this day, I’ll wait ’til after the formal ceremonies are over and movement around the cemetery is a bit easier as the President has left. This year, I was determined to actively participate and made it into the amphitheater near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. The sun was hot, but hidden by clouds most of the time, that later gave up some of their rain to add a bit of liquid sunshine to the day…
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
After laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed by a moment of silence, The bugler from the US Army’s Band – Pershing’s Own sounded Taps. Those 21 notes echoing among the open air of the moment.
President came into the amphitheater, preceded by the US Army Chaplain, Superintendent of of Arlington National Cemetery, Commanding General of the Military District of Washington and the Head of the Joint Chiefs’ of Staff.
The President addressed the standing room only crowd and shared his thoughts with those assembled.
Afterwards, I went among those assembled and spent some time with those I knew and made some new friends among the slowly vanishing crowd. As the crowd dispersed, I began my exploring to several sections among those that had given so much. I went to Section 13 which has a great number of Unknowns…
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…
“Preserving the memories, so others will remember…” ™
I spent a few days in North Carolina at Fort Bragg and Fayetteville and had the privilege of meeting the HON Pete Geren, Secretary of the US ARMY. I thought it appropriate that he should have a copy of the inaugural regimental calendar, so I presented him one as a thank you for his service in such an important role with the soldiers and helping preserve the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States.
I was pleasantly surprized by the wonderful thank you note that I received this past week from him…
Posted 1 year, 5 months ago at 1:51 am. Add a comment
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.
The following day was spent capturing another Presidential Salute Battery mission in Arlington National Cemetery. Finally on Wednesday, 18 FEB 2009, with snow flying, I headed North to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, current home of the US Army Ordnance Museum and it’s outstanding outdoor display of armor, artillery and…
My mission there was to further uncover the role that G M Barnes played in WW II and learn what I could about the WW I artillery piece known as the “French 75″ … I learned quite a bit since the resources at this museum’s library are extensive.
But let me back up a bit. Arriving on post for the first time I was unsure how to get to the museum (I need a GPS – donations welcome!) I slowly went by this large large – HUGE actually mortar that several people would slip inside the tube with no problem and then missed the turn for the museum’s entrance, but was given a shot of “ordnance eye candy” as I circled the outside collection. WOW, what a sight!
When I finally got around to the entrance of the museum building, I was pleasantly surprised to find an M5 out in front “guarding” the museum. It was painted its tactical color and was complete with the sights that were used to aim this gun. Despite the precipitation, which by this time had turned from frozen into liquid, I got the camera out and captured a few photographs before going inside.
Once inside, I was pleasantly greeted by a staff member and then taken to 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 York
To be continued….
Posted 1 year, 5 months ago at 12:13 pm. Add a comment
In 11 days, all the online locations for “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ calendar will be removed.
The calendar is a collector’s item, since this is the FIRST calendar about this historic regiment of the US ARMY — It’s the oldest active infantry regiment with over 200 years of history.
And the calendar will be history once the day of 31 MAR ends and it’ll disappear for sale. So if you haven’t bought one. Do it now. …. Thank you for your support.
Posted 1 year, 5 months ago at 4:04 am. Add a comment
John Michael is a professional photographer living in the Washington DC area, who over the last decade has evolved into a dual role as a US military historian/student of military heraldry.
One distinctive hallmark of his work has been the photography of the final honors at Arlington National Cemetery & preparing a memorial book for the family or next of kin.
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 -
