Photography by John Michael

Military Heraldry Cards

It’s been a busy week, very busy! As the holiday season kicks into high gear, I’ve polished off the graphic design hat and taken off the photography one for now. The outcome has been a flurry of results that highlight the richness and splendor of heraldry of the US Army – 3d Infantry Regiment “THE OLD GUARD”, Special Forces, Airborne, and more, the OSS Society.

I’ve included a new slideshow highlighting the dozens of cards that are now available. There are flyers that are available to get your cards before Thanksgiving… Personalized even with your name on the front…

Major Milestone in US Army Special Forces History

A History Flashback —

It was 46 years ago today that an historic event occurred on Ft. Bragg, NC — President John F. Kennedy and then BG William P. Yarborough met while the President was reviewing the US Army Special Forces. Arranged through the cooperation of General Yarborough’s West Point classmate, then MG Chester V. Clifton, Jr., who was the military aide to the President, the meeting had several signifcant outcomes. The photo to the left is an image of the autographed collage that JFK sent to General Yarborough after the meeting. The collage hung in the general’s home office for over 30 years.

A significant part of US Army military history, for it was that day, JFK recognized the importance of the Special Forces and funding was secured to continue the mission to make them a crucial part of the US Army. Now some 50 years later, the US Army Special Forces are the elite … the best of the best!

It was also the day that the Special Forces were all in their green berets a distinction that the President himself authorized as part of their official uniform, since they are really Special!

Before the collage was donated to hang in a museum, John Michael was allowed to scan the original to carry out his mission of “Preserving the memories, so others will remember…” From that high resolution image, to commemorate this event, John Michael has created a selection of notecards, greeting cards, photo cards — or even reprints of the collage. The story about the event and it’s significance is printed on the back of the cards. The text appears in an image to the right.

A portion of the profits from the sale of these items is donated to the Special Forces Association.

Busy Week – 3 Final Honors!

It’s been a busy week. I was honored and privileged to capture the final honors of three US Army Special Forces soldiers – A Colonel, A Sergeant Major and today A Chief Warrant Officer at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). It’s uplifting that I’m able to provide their families a lasting memory of the respectful final honors ceremony that the US military provides those that have passed on to their final rest.

Let me turn back the clock to the year 2000. At that time my knowledge and awareness of the US military was limited to that my best friend from high school was career Army and I had tracked his career as he moved from duty assignment in Europe to Army posts around the US. We’d always get into discussions how future wars would be settled by the US command of the Air with missles and air superiority. He would always maintain that “conventional forces” would still be needed to address the ground issues – the “boots on the ground” I know now that my thinking was flawed as I’ve become more informed and understand the significance and important role the US Army contributes to the success of any involvement.

That said, I’ve recorded over 2,000 photos this week — the basis of the custom ANC Memorial Books that I’ve been producing for the past several years. Each of the three families will soon get their own record of their loved one’s final honors.

I have been blessed over these years to get a on-going lesson in military history — something that most of you reading this will never have the opportunity. It has opened my eyes to how much the average United States citizen doesn’t realize what contribution the military, especially the US Army has made to this country. Yet they are very much silent and do their work with respect.