In 2008, after speaking with men who had served in the Presidential Salute Battery as far back as the 1950′s, I concluded that there hadn’t been a calendar for the US Army’s oldest and most historic infantry regiment – 3d Infantry – “The Old Guard”
I had, since 2000 captured thousands of photographs from the final honors at Arlington National Cemetery, the change of commands, the retirements, Presidential Salute Battery missions, Twilight Tatoo and more. What would be the first calendar for this historic regiment, should be something to tie in with the new President that the United States was “inuagurating” in 2009 – The Old Guard is “The Escort to the President” – AHAH! Why not select the photos that showcase all the elite units and the regiment in all their pageantry and splendor.
That’s how “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ became an inspiration. To become a reality, I had to find just the right photos that made this calendar the best for the best! With the help of the public affairs office of TOG, I was able to borrow a couple of photos that completed the 13 pages of photographs … 13 Reasons to donate to The Old Guard Museum!
The calendar, A COLLECTOR’s ITEM, is still available for sale via the links that are on this blog or my website Photography by John Michael – www.John-Michael.net But come 31 MARCH 2009 it will disappear from any online sales. So if you’d like to be one of those who has this “RARE” item, BUY NOW!
Posted 2 years, 11 months ago at 6:55 am. Add a comment
Several years ago, I was introduced by one of my advisors to MG Donald C. Hilbert, US Army (Ret.) who at one point was the Commander of the 3d Infantry Regiment – The Old Guard and later commanded the Military District of Washington. He was kind enough to introduce me to The Old Guard Association. This paved the way for me to further my knowledge of the oldest infantry regiment in the US Army.
I once again visited with MG Hilbert the last week in January and once again I was allowed some time with him to review the progress I’d made, the work I’m now doing and present him with an autographed version of “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ calendar.
It’s through his support and encouragement along with the rest of my mentors/advisors/supporters that I continue my ongoing mission of “Preserving the memories so others will remember…” ™
The day began with that “perfect” final honors I wrote about earlier at Arlington National Cemetery. The day for the soldiers of the 3d Infantry Regiment – The Old Guard – – began earlier their day with a regimen of physical training, then at 1000, the preparations for the two missions at 1500 in Arlington National Cemetery for MG Alvin C Welling, US Army (Ret) and RADML Chauncey F. Hoffman US Navy (Ret).
I found one section of the Presidential Salute Battery at a location between the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and President John F. Kennedy’s grave. The other section was on the other side of the hill to the North. The rain poured down as the soldiers waited for the commo call to begin their mission, and off in the distance, one could hear the other battery section firing the salutes for the Admiral.
It was minutes later that the soldiers around me got into formation and we saw the procession to the South of us for General Welling. When the commo call came through the guns fired. The photo you see above is the first round in that mission.
Despite all the rain and cold, both sections executed their missions with precision & perfection.
Upon returning to the North side of the Capitol, I meandered out to a balcony overlooking Taft Park. I finally found the Presidential Salute Battery in place going through some final preparation for their mission at NOON…
All attempts I made to get inside of the “FORTRESS” met resistance … the vantage point that I’d scouted out from the balcony became blocked by a line of buses.
I was forced to photograph the men and guns from a distance through the fence… what a drag!
With cameras in hand, I took the first Metro train and a very seamless trip to Union Station, I arrived about 5 AM People on the train had a bit of excitement building, but it probably wouldn’t be as much as later.
What you see below is the first part of the Edited photos from that day.
I was going to get up early and scout the area where I think the Guns Platoon will be setting up and firing on Tuesday. but something drew me to the laptop (I had left it on and wanted to conserve some energy) – FB was open and I saw I had a new message that I read and had the urge to respond.
It was from a SSG deployed in Iraq who had served in the Caisson Platoon of the 3d Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) of the US Army. He wanted to know about the calendar “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″
However, before I was able to hit “reply”, the chat box on FB popped and it was him… we began chatting and I learned that he nearly had 1,000 missions at Arlington National Cemetery. He wanted to hit that mark, but thought it better to help teach other soldiers and train horses “to do it right” {transfer of knowledge is ALWAYS more important, which is why I continue “Preserving the memories so others will remember…” ™}
We continued to chat and I continued to share some of the work I’ve done over the years and plans for the future.
I thanked him for his service and asked him to “Take care of you for me…” as he was heading out on a 20 hour mission…
Thank you SSG – Thank you for your service! Thank you for making my Sunday!
I headed to the post office today and mailed the next batch of ordered calendars. Barely making the “last in line” before they closed, I engaged a few people in line and many had never heard of the 3d Infantry – The Old Guard – Escort to the President . I just happened to have a “sample” calendar with me and several asked for order forms.
Upon the urging of a good friend, I next headed to the Metro station to secure a day pass for my trip on Tuesday (I know, it’s going to be “bedlam” as one of my friends warned me. However I NEED to do this. Another one suggested your “peeps” are going to be there. So “peeps” here I come!)
I secured my “one day pass” and found the Metro ticket emblazoned with President-elect Obama’s face. Great, now I have my official souvenir of the year. As I left, I noticed that his face appeared on most of the newspapers waiting for purchase in their metal boxes… hmmmm
Off to the grocery store to get the basics and “SUNDAY’S” newspaper, I passed a display in the front of the store and there they were, the official “Presidential Cookie” with Barack Obama on the front. Magazines with his face smiling, pensive, etc.
Picked up the newspaper. Yep you guessed it … right there on the front! Took the paper & basics home and as I began to read “tomorrow’s news today” … yep you guessed it, I saw – “the Official Barack Obama Coins”, “The official Barack wall hanging”, “The official Barack …”
It’s Obamamania!
Maybe I should come out with the “Official Barack Obama Edition” of “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ But I don’t think so, because it’s already the “inaugural” calendar and a historic item in itself. Since based on my extensive research in speaking with many who have served in the OLD GUARD as far back as the 1950s to current, no one can recall that there was ever a calendar about the regiment. So my claim still stands until proven wrong. As soon as I get in touch with the curator of the “now closed” Old Guard museum, I’ll have further confirmation.
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.
