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 …
Here’s a more in-depth look at the making and background of the calendar – “The Old Guard on Mission – 2010″ – some history and little known facts…
Or for those who cannot read Russian Cyrillic -
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Arlington National Cemetery
For those who have followed me on Facebook, you have seen how from Saturday morning in the frenzy of the snowstorm, I attempted daily to get into Arlington National Cemetery. The mission was to capture some of the beauty of this hallowed place in the snow… ANC closed on Saturday, and when I arrived, the barriers were symbolically across Memorial Drive.
I turned around and decided that Sunday morning was probably a better choice and when I returned on Sunday, I found the roadway of Memorial Drive completely clear thanks to the efforts of the National Park Service. Alas, the gates of ANC were closed and locked …
Here!
John Michael broke new ground when he published the “First” Calendar about the US Army’s 3d Infantry Regiment – “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ - The Escort to the President. Many have seen this regiment earlier this year as they led and participated in the Presidential Inauguration. Their ceremonial presence is only part of their story. After pouring through thousands of photographs taken primarily in 2009, a theme finally emerged to tell the story about these Soldiers that few people ever see.
Soldiers in this elite regiment are called upon to do a number of different missions on a daily basis… most of which the public never sees or is even aware. It’s hoped that the selection of these images provides a small glimpse of the varied assignments carried out and their contributions made as service to the United States of America…
I had a glorious day today. A new friend who I met on Facebook came to Washington, DC to visit his dad’s final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery. When he let me know he was coming into town with his father-in-law, I offered to give them a ride and tour of Fort Myer and Arlington National Cemetery…
We drove around the Post of FORT Myer, and I pointed out the buildings that were once stables (Fort Myer once had over 1,500 horses located within the Post’s grounds. I learned today that it was a re-mount location for the US ARMY.) We then visited the Caisson Platoon as they were tending to their horses. From there, we walked across the street to view the offerings of the gift shop tended by the Old Guard Ladies Association (my guest wanted to purchase one of the calendars that he had heard and saw so much about – “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ … while there I let the staff know that the next tribute to the Old Guard would be soon available.
We finished our tour of Fort Myer almost, when I encountered one of the “watchmen” from the Presidential Salute Battery – The Guns Platoon. I introduced my guests to the soldier who promptly provided some great background on the work and missions he and the rest of the platoon execute.
From Fort Myer, we headed into Arlington National Cemetery. Me with my eye on the time so we could observe the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. After going around for a while, it was time to head to the Tomb of the Unknowns. I looked closely at the Tomb Guard walking the mat (they all look the same with their sunglasses on and their smartly presented uniforms) … Yes it was… a soldier who had been a neighbor down-the-hall when he lived in the same building… he was “walking the mat” as the guards refer to it (you can see the indentations of their patrol of 21 steps worn into the mat)
I positioned myself down in front to the North of the Tomb to get some good up close photos… As the sentinel performed his duty, I got an acknowledgement that he knew I was there (I’m not telling how he let me know, but he did TWICE!!!) and greeted me.
My guests were really into the changing of the guard and “my” Tomb Guard did a flawless execution. Later we went into the building behind the tomb and I provided some background of how things came to be. To my surprise, “my” Tomb Guard came up to me and spent a few moments with us before he needed to return to the barracks under the building to rest before his next tour of guard duty. Thanks Benton! Great Job… Keep up the good work and my Boston based friends were honored to meet you!
One of my guests remarked that it was a true honor to meet that soldier, especially when informed him that the Tomb Guard Badge that he earned was the least awarded in the entire US military. The number is currently around 600 since the US ARMY has been guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns.
From there, we went to my friend’s father’s final resting place. He was 1st Cavalry, US Army and in Air Assault – helocopters… as we neared his spot, a Blackhawk lifted off from the Pentagon and swung nearby. I remarked to my friend “Must be your dad saying hello…”
I love what I do… my mission of “Preserving the memories so others will remember…” ™
There was …
The US Army transported the President of the United States from/to the White House when he needed to go to either Andrews AFB, Camp David or maybe even the Pentagon. This is evidenced in photographs taken in August of 1962 shown below:
President John F. Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline and son John Jr. preparing to board helicopter ARMY ONE for a vacation.
And it was the US Army that provided the foundation of military aviation in the United States… there was a commemoration of the 100 years of military aviation held at Ft Myer VA in SEP 2008 marking the Wright Flyer’s first flights on Summerall Field.
UNTIL
In November, the 12th to be exact, I was called upon to photograph the final honors of a Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War – Sgt Cornelius Charlton. As I normally do, I include a photograph of the headstone in the memorial book.
So I headed over to Section 40 where I had to get out and walk to his resting place. As I did, I spied a young man on the hill to the left of me without any umbrella, but taking a few photos which I thought a bit interesting. He headed my way and I engaged him in conversation and found he was a soldier in The Old Guard. I offered him “get out of the rain” under my umbrella as we began to talk and get to know each other. It was great since he held the umbrella while I took a few photos of the MOH stone.
Thank you OLD GUARD!
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