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.
All I can say is WOW!
THE GUNS” of
“The Old Guard” are truly awesome — rarely seen when they do their missions in Arlington National Cemetery, but “always heard” — they are a unique unit in the United States Army. No other unit exists and they truly earn that distinction with their flawless execution of their missions.
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!!!
Posted 4 years, 4 months ago at 10:23 pm. Add a comment
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.
Thank you to those who serve and have served! We owe you very much!
Posted 4 years, 4 months ago at 5:15 pm. Add a comment
Since the Autumn of 2000, I have been photographing the final honors of those who have served to protect the United States of America. Over that time, I’ve captured thousands of photos.
Here are a few selections from that collection —
Posted 4 years, 4 months ago at 3:55 pm. Add a comment
