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…
Continue Reading…
GHTime Code(s): fb978 b5a78 bb516 1604c Posted 2 years, 1 month ago at 4:24 pm. Add a comment
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…” ™
Posted 2 years, 12 months ago at 8:18 pm. Add a comment
I delivered the inaugural calender – “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ to the OGLA gift shop on Monday. While I was there on Fort Myer, I had parked near the Old Post Chapel, and came across two maybe three soldiers working – planning out an upcoming final honors – it’s for SMA Bainbridge, who will be laid to rest on 28 JAN 2009.
They worked from a schematic that showed the ultimate formation of 3d Infantry soldiers and the US Army Band. Marking the pavement to assure that the mission would be executed with “OLD GUARD PRECISION” (it seems that everything I’ve ever observed about this regiment is always done in an exacting way and there are practices, planning and perfection included in all they do) I then thought about the planning, the logistics, the coordination and involvement of “creating an event” that is only done once. There’s no “do overs” with a final honors.
I think the family and friends of SMA Bainbridge will be really pleased when the SMA’s honors are done… it’s going to be perfect!
Posted 3 years ago at 4:44 am. Add a comment
There was …
ARMY ONE
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.
Posted 3 years ago at 3:18 am. 1 comment
I spent the rainy afternoon in ANC and had hoped for a dusting of snow, instead “liquid sunshine” poured down which even kept me from venturing out from my vehicle…
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.
He had walked from the Ft Myer Gate entrance to ANC and was a bit cold and wet. Asked him how he was getting back and said he’d was considering hitching a ride with a Tourmobile to the Amphitheater. The rain was coming down harder and it seemed colder. I offered him a ride back on post, it was the least I could do for someone who was volunteered to serve and defend the United States, me and you…
Thank you OLD GUARD!
Posted 3 years ago at 11:01 pm. 1 comment
On this day in 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful airplane flights near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It would be 5 years later that Orville would take that inaugural flight to a higher level and introduce the potential of aviation to the US Army at Fort Myer, Virginia.
Pictured below is a replica of that 1908 Wright Flyer most recently displayed at Fort Myer during the 100 year commemoration celebration of military flight.
Photo copyright 2008 – Photography by John Michael
Posted 3 years, 1 month ago at 6:30 am. Add a comment
I’ve been getting very positive feedback on this calendar and the sales are showing the acceptance. In about 3 weeks, the sales rank has gone from with in 88,000 to somewhere in the 13,000s.
Thank you! The proceeds support the troops.
To order online click the button below the slide show on the right column of the blog.
OR
If you’d like to receive the “STANDARD PLUS” version, download the PDF order form below it and send your check or money order to the address on the page.
Posted 3 years, 1 month ago at 1:32 pm. Add a comment
It’s now officially published AND purchased!
The MOST UNIQUE CALENDAR FOR 2009!
The first sales happened one day after it was released to the public. Since 2000, I’ve been blessed to be able to photograph and capture in photograph form one of the amazing units in the US ARMY, 3d Infantry Regiment – The OLD GUARD. Not only are they amazing, the regiment is the oldest unit in the United States Military having it’s origins set in 1784.
After going through all the photos from these past years and with the assistance of TOG’s public affairs, I selected a set of photos that gives a glimpse of military pagentry and ceremony at its finest.
Proceeds from the sale of this calendar will be donated to the 3d Infantry Regiment’s Old Guard Ladies Association. The collage of photos above shows a sample of the photos that are in the calendar. Proceeds from the online sales will be donated to the 3d Infantry Regiment’s OLD GUARD LADIES ASSOCIATION.
Just click on the button below and you’ll see ALL the photos and BUY MANY OF THEM!
Posted 3 years, 2 months ago at 9:24 am. Add a comment
Over the past several years, I’ve been blessed to be permitted to witness and capture (“Preserving the memories so others will remember…”tm) one of the finest and the oldest regiment in the US Army —- The 3d Infantry Regiment. From the thousands of photographs that I’ve taken, I’ve been able to collect a small sample of the continuous ceremonial missions that these troops execute. With the assistance and contribution of TOG’s Public Affairs Office, there will soon be a 2009 Calendar available with “selected photographs”
Watch this space for further details.
Posted 3 years, 3 months ago at 1:40 am. Add a comment
It’s no secret, I’m in process of writing a book (a very challenging project, since no one has ever written about this topic before) and in doing so, I’ve been researching places to have it published. In the course of things (how cliche-ish!) I’ve captured several thousand photographs to complement the text that will be included in the book.
Until now, I have had few outlets for the fruits of my labors — (my notecards / greeting cards, photographs) they have been for sale at the Old Guard Museum gift shop [benefiting the Old Guard Ladies Association] However, someone decided as of October 1st to close the Old Guard Museum on Fort Myer. Word has it that it will re-open in November. The other location is at the gift shop of the JFK Warfare Museum located on Fort Bragg, NC.
Despite talks with locations in the DC area, the challenge of the economy has slowed progress. So in the meantime, I’ve located a place where high quality prints of my photos can be ordered either unframed or framed. Presently there are only photographs, but soon you’ll find calendars and more (‘nother cliche!) available for purchase. As my way of “giving back” a portion of the profits of sales of selected photos/calendars will be donated to The Old Guard Ladies Association
STOREFRONT LINK:
Please visit ——- and please let me know your reaction!
Posted 3 years, 3 months ago at 1:57 pm. Add a comment
