From the Scenes of
Arlington National Cemetery
Collection
As Arlington National Cemetery continued to expand, over time there were gates erected that marked the various entrances to this national shrine where the heroes of the United States are at rest in their final sleep…
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For the last three years, I have watched and captured the outstanding 50 GUN Salute to the nation on the 4th of July – Independence Day. It’s an amazing event that has been precisely executed by one of the elite platoons in the US military – The Presidential Salute Battery…
GHTime Code(s): nc ncThe military is abundant with traditions, ceremony and pageantry, but most of all and foremost is traditions. Having had the privilege and honor to work among so many military units over the last decade plus, I’ve been exposed to many traditions that are memorable and stand out in my mind.
Recently I was in Arlington National Cemetery following up on taking headstone photos of final honors I had photographed when off in the distance was an Old Guard Soldier along with a woman who I later found out was his wife.
She was taking photos of him standing next to a headstone and as I approached, I engage them in conversation with a question about did the bus leave without you? “No sir.” was the reply, “This was my last final honors and I’m being transferred, so I’ll walk out of the cemetery. ”
With camera in hand, I offered to take a few photographs of him and his bride. With that done, they began their walk back to Fort Myer passing the many heroes who are nestled in perpetual sleep among the acres of Arlington. Thank you Soldier… Thank you for your service.
GHTime Code(s): ncI would like to introduce you to TAPS 
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors - An organization that helps those who remain after they lose someone serving in the military. Whether it be the widow, the children, the parents – the whole family benefits from the work that TAPS continues to do and has done since 1994 when it was found out of tragedy.
Since then, over 35,000 people have benefited from the offerings of TAPS services – some are available 24/7, their resources and many events complemented by regional seminars and their annual meeting held each year in the Washington, DC area on Memorial Day Weekend.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (all rights reserved)
I would encourage you to donate to TAPS in some way – either financially, your time or making others aware of the organization and what they do.
You can also enter below to win a copy of “Images of America – Fort Myer”
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First known as Fort Whipple when it was part of the Defenses of Washington DC during the US Civil War, Fort Myer, Virginia is key in the US Air Force’s history. A significant milestone, actually the cornerstone, as the first military aviation flights occurred on Post in September 1908 when the Wright Flyer ascended the skies above the drill field. In response to the US Army’s Signal Corps request, the fledgling craft would spend the days of the next week that September circling the acres where the US Army’s cavalry and field artillery trained and General Philip Sheridan deemed a showcase for the Cavalry.
For weeks, the 3d Infantry Regiment of the US Army – The Old Guard – has been on a mission within Arlington National Cemetery … The prestigious ceremonial unit, which calls Fort Myer their home since 1948, has been photographing each of the headstones within the hallowed ground of what was once the Custis-Lee estate.
GHTime Code(s): ncIt’s 21 JUN – the Summer Solstice, the most daylight today - more importantly it’s time to celebrate. This year the US Army Signal Corps celebrates its Sesquicentennial: A hundred and fifty years has passed since Congress had authorized the addition of a signal officer to the Army Staff on 21 June 1860.
GHTime Code(s): ncOn 25 APR 1967 we lost another pioneer of the US Army Air Corps…
MG Benjamin Foulois
Major General Benjamin Delahauf Foulois, the first chief of the Army Air Corps to be a military aviator, had a number of “firsts” in his long and illustrious career. His accomplishments spanned 56 years during active-duty and retired military aviation service.
He was a contemporary of LtThomas Selfridge, who was the first military aviation fatality when the Wright Flyer he and Orville Wright were flying over Fort Myer, VA in 1908 crashed.
General Hap Arnold, the only 5 star General in two service branches was also contemporary of both MG Foulois and LT Selfridge
Earlier this week another small milestone was set in history…
The Old Guard On Parade
they’re still the best kept secret!
I spent a week on a special mission. I wanted to find out peoples’ awareness in the Washington DC area. I asked about the sports teams, and most people knew without any coaching what teams they had for baseball, football, basketball, hockey and more. I also asked who would defend Washington DC if a disaster struck. I even showed photos of …
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