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 …
On a warm Spring Saturday, those assembled in the Episcopal Church, quietly assembled in the courtyard as final military honors for Robin (Robert Lowell) Moore was smartly executed by the 5th Group of the US Army’s Special Forces. The Honorable Rudi Gresham declared earlier that Robin and LTG William P. Yarborough were once again together – for all time, as their berets were honorably placed on the flag draped casket by Robin’s widow, Helen Moore and General Yarborough’s son, William Lee Yarborough.
The two men formed a lifelong friendship that affected both them and the world around them. Working together, the US Army Special Forces became the “SPECIAL” Forces of the US Military and achieved the recognition that they well deserve.
From these images and others found on my website, I’ve created cards or if you prefer, the albums contain ways of selecting enlargements of the photos printed as large as the photo is defined and on the paper of your choice.
Among others, a special Thank you to —
COL Robert Friedman USA Ret
SGM Joseph Mancuso USA Ret
SGT William E. Skivington, Jr USA KIA
COL Daniel Patrick Gallagher USA Ret
TEC4 Anthony De Angelis USA Ret
Arlington National Cemetery’s Section 33 was filled with hundreds of people who were out to witness and participate in the 16th annual “Wreaths Across America”
The commemoration has expanded across the United States to include many more National Cemeteries.
This year, in 2007, the volunteers will assemble on 15 December beginning at 0900 to place the wreaths within America’s hallowed grounds – final resting place for the heroes who’ve kept the fires of freedom burning bright within the United States. The caravan will have left Maine on 09 December and slowly make their way to the Washington DC area.
If you’d like to check out more look at the website http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.com/
As the first female army officer to earn a star as a Brigadier General was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, the Presidential Salute Battery of the 3d Infantry Regiment – “The Old Guard” carried out their mission with dispatch in the cool weather of the day.
Off in the distance one could hear the music of the US Army Band as the final honors ceremony continued. I watched as the notes of TAPS began to echo up to the hill where we were, the soldiers immediately snapped to attention and saluted one last time to this historic officer of the US Army.
I spent two “wonderful” days on Post – Fort Myer, VA sharing the products of my photography with the fine FMMC community… traffic was brisk and I was happy with the results of the two day event. It complemented the event on Friday at the National Guard Readiness Center. There was a great receptiveness to the work I’m doing in military heraldry and photographing the final honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
In 2006 I was honored to photograph the final honors of LTG William P. Yarborough, USA Ret., the Father of the Modern Green Berets at Arlington National Cemetery. After capturing several hundred photos of one of this outstanding tribute to whom another General had called A Titan, it became apparent to me that I was missing a key part of the final honors — the “gun salute”
I made a call into one of my 3d Infantry contacts and was able to arrange to view and photograph “The Presidential Salute Battery” over several missions to get the fitting photos that would be included in LTG Yarborough’s Memorial Book.
Whether it’s firing the “gun salutes” for their Army, Navy, or Marine brothers who have reached “flag officer” rank in an Arlington National Cemetery final honors or honoring the President or other heads of state, visiting foreign dignataries, these men of the “Guns Platoon” are always “top notch” (An important note – these are the “gun salutes” that people often confuse with “fire three volleys” — the firing parties at most military final honors. It’s only the President of the United States or “head-of-state {Queen Elizabeth from Britain for instance} who get a “21 GUN SALUTE”)
I’ll post more details about this wonderful unit and my work with them soon
Thank you to SFC Flinta and the platoon members for all the assistance, the coaching and the knowledge that you all shared with me. It has been wonderful!!!
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