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, 7 months ago at 1:57 pm. Add a comment
I’m a regular contributor / volunteer for a website called
FIND A GRAVE that has the largest collection of memorials to those who have passed on. My focus on Arlington National Cemetery has been augmented by participating in this activity.
I was on a mission today to capture a few of the photos of gravestones as requested by friends, family or interested parties. It was the end of the mission day when I arrived at ANC after trying to meet with a local card shop who originally had expressed interest in carrying a selection of my greeting cards / notecards. I was attempting to show off the new calendars that are being developed. But I digress.
Even after all these years of traversing the hallowed grounds of the United States’ shrine to it’s military heroes, I still need to get an orientation at times when I’m heading into a Section of the cemetery that I rarely frequent. My first direction was to head to Section 3, a very familiar place since that’s where I spend time with the Presidential Salute Battery when they execute their missions. When I saw one of the caisson teams slowly making their way back through the cemetery to the stables on Fort Meyer, I decided “to roll” along with them. The soldiers looked a bit tired, since their day began by showing up at 4:00 AM at the stables to go through their preparation for their four-plus missions that they probably participated in during the day. (They spend their entire day in the cemetery…)
I clicked off a few photos as I followed them up through the McClellan Gate (original entrance to Arlington National Cemetery) as they reached the intersection, the team and the section sergeant turned left towards the Tomb of the Unknowns…
The warm autumn sun, shone brightly this day as the sunbeams broke their way through the overhead trees. One of the last final honors of the day was still in progress as I headed along the road in front of the Tomb of the Unknowns. I had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with one of the ANC security guards as I waited for the ceremony to conclude.
Signs of the change of season were evident and the harbinger trees were already turning their fiery colors. I headed up the road that borders Section 3 and the Tomb of the Unknown and the sun dancing among the crimson leaves of a maple caught my eye.
After my Section 3 work was complete, I traversed to the opposite side of the cemetery and headed to Section 30 (The original layout of the cemetery followed no rhyme or reason as they assigned the numbers to the sections. Some layout within the sections are completely confusing to me also!)
When I reached Section 30, I decided to “take the walk” and paid my respects to MG G.M. Barnes, the visionary who’s forward thinking has led to many of the things we take for granted today. I’ve called the man “The Father of Modern Computers”, since he was instrumental in funding the ENIAC – the first computer (Pennsylvania University claims its theirs, but without the funding from the US Army, they would have had NADA!) General Barnes was the head of research and development within Ordnance of the US Army during WW II. Another distinction is that he is the “Father of the M5 Guns” – the artillery that the Presidential Salute Battery uses to fire salutes to the President, Heads of State/Countries, and salutes for wreath layings and final honors of Flag officers of the US Army, US Coast Guard, US Navy and US Marines.
The 3d wonder that I absorbed as I headed to the last photo of the day was a rare blooming of crocuses (they normally bloom in the Spring!) in front of a US Army’s CWO’s resting place.
Posted 3 years, 7 months ago at 6:57 pm. Add a comment
September 17, 1908, Summerall Field, Fort Myer, Virginia – 1LT Thomas E. Selfridge accompanied Orville Wright on a trial flight of the Wright Brothers’ “aeroplane” that resulted in another milestone in history and a first in military aviation.
Trials at Ft. Myer began on 3d September 1908 and on the 17th, the trial ended in a crash of the machine as one of the propellers hit a guy wire forcing a nose down contact. Orville suffered a few broken ribs, a broken leg. LT Selfridge was thrown against one of the uprights and had a fractured skull. Unfortunately, he passed.
The photo below shows the aeroplane & Orville Wright & 1LT Selfridge before takeoff
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A graduate of West Point, LT Selfridge is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
If he had been wearing protective headgear, he may have survived the crash.
Posted 3 years, 8 months ago at 10:27 pm. Add a comment
Despite Hurricane Hanna dumping rain & providing cloudy skies, the spirit of the day at Fort Myer was not dampened, as hundreds of people braved the liquid sunshine and breezy weather to take part in the celebration commemorating the centennial of military aviation.
What you see below is the actual replica of the aeroplane that Orville Wright brought to Fort Myer in 1908. The highpoint of the opening ceremonies was when the members of the Wright Experience (
http://www.wrightexperience.com/) started up the engine on the flying machine and got the propellers to spin radiantly.
It was a great day in history – remembering – “Preserving the memories so others will remember…” ™
Posted 3 years, 8 months ago at 8:24 am. Add a comment
All was quiet on Summerall Field, site of the first military aviation flights some 100 years ago .. However on Saturday, 6 SEP 2008 the celebration will begin to commemorate the US Army’s first flights and adoption of the Wright Brothers’ aeroplane.
Posted 3 years, 8 months ago at 8:55 am. Add a comment
I got a glimpse on Sunday morning of the tail end (pardon the pun) of the weekend chores that the 3d Infantry Regiment – The Old Guard’s Caisson Platoon was completing. While the rest of the US was enjoying their Labor Day Weekend or bracing for the arrival of Gustov, the soldiers were tending to their steeds and their needs.
I was on Fort Myer to catch the rehersal of the upcoming commemoration of the 100 years of military aviation, only to find that the rehersal was not happening. So while I was there, I sauntered over to the Caisson Stables / Barn and watched as the daily care was being provided to the horses who are tasked with the monday to friday military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
I was allowed to observe and learn more about these wonderful soldiers and their horses. And I thank the Specialist from NY state who was kind enough to answer some additional questions and provide futher insight about the workings of the platoon..
Posted 3 years, 8 months ago at 2:34 pm. Add a comment
After the SEP 1908 trial flights at Fort Myer, the Wright Brothers once again returned in 1909 to show the US Army what improvements that were made and a longer flight from Fort Myer, VA to where the George Washington Masonic Monument stands in Alexandria, VA and back convinced the US Army that there was merit in this new way of travel.
In 1910, the first air group was established, located at College Park, MD — the success of this group leading to the US Army Air Corps. Finally after WW II, when the War Department was disbanded ( the US Army with its Air Corps were under the War Department until then) – and in 1947, when the Department of Defense was created, the US Army & then new US Air Force became separate services.
Posted 3 years, 8 months ago at 11:33 pm. Add a comment
On Saturday, 6 SEP 2007, there will be a milestone recognized commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the first flights on a military installation that had also a bittersweet tone to it, since during the last day of flight trials marked the also first military aviation fatality.
It was on Fort Meyer, VA in September of 1908, Orville Wright had brought one of his aeroplanes with intent of selling them to the US military. The flight trials began on 3 SEP and lasted until 17 SEP 1908 The flight ended in a crash from an altitude of 75 feet when the propeller shattered. Orville Wright was seriously injured, but 1st Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge was killed marking the first military aviation fatality. (LT Selfridge is buried in Arlington National Cemetery’s Section 3)
There is a gate on Ft Myer named in honor of the Wright Brothers contribution to the advancement of the US ARMY.
More information about the celebration of this historic milestone in aviation history can be found at Centennial of Military Aviation
Posted 3 years, 9 months ago at 11:39 pm. Add a comment
It was a hot sweltering day in the Washington DC area. In Arlington National Cemetery, I had planned on attending and photographing what I thought were two IN & OVER missions of the Presidential Salute Battery and then going onto Fort Meyer to continue my research. I later learned that there was a wreath laying later in the day, so we now had three missions to attend.
After the second mission, the men of the Presidential Salute Battery headed back on post for a much needed time out of the oppressive heat and sun. I followed them and as they headed off for their meal, I also found myself hungry and headed to the snack bar via the community center/USO. I paid a visit to the USO office, and encountered a Sergeant of the 3d Infantry who had been in several of the final honors that I’ve photographed. When he saw me he proclaimed in a loud voice “It’s the Photographer of The Old Guard” – a surprise distinction, but from his words after, it seems that I’ve developed that growing reputation.
All I will say is “Thank you for your service Sergeant!” and I appreciate all what you and the rest of the regiment and the US Army does and has done for this country! Hooah!
Posted 3 years, 10 months ago at 6:43 pm. Add a comment
There were a few special birthdays yesterday and one was brought in with a fitting ceremony that is expertly executed -
On Friday, July 4, 2008 the Presidential Salute Battery had positioned four of their WW II vintage M5 3-inch anti-tank guns near Summerall Parade Field on Fort Meyer Virginia in preparation for the 50 gun salute to the United States of America.
I was there to witness and capture the precisely excuted mission and here are a few moments in time presented for your enjoyment. Another contribution of the men of the “Guns Platoon” of the 3d Infantry Regiment of The OLD GUARD of the US Army.
Thanks men!
Posted 3 years, 10 months ago at 9:46 am. Add a comment
