Photography by John Michael

Another Brick in the Wall….

Today’s my birthday… I don’t remember it, but I know that my parents and relatives were filled with joy when I let out my first cry. Looking back over the years, I have a lot to be thankful for despite the many walls and obstacles that have hindered forward progress. I’ve done quite a bit – touched the lives of many of those who have served and provided a chronicle of events that will allow many to remember them in years to come.

I never thought I’d be this involved in history after my high school experience. I hate to say, but both teachers I had for history (World then American) were rather pompous and didn’t teach, but expected everyone to memorize dates, places and people… that’s fine if you’re about to become a repository for that info. My approach is to bring history alive and make it meaningful so people remember.

Over the past decade plus, I’ve taken a different viewpoint on the topic and it dovetails very nicely with my photographic & creative talents.

You can see some of the photographs (I still need an adjutant, an intern … SOMEONE to help ! Any volunteers?) on my webpage (www.John-Michael.net) which will take you to my online albums, my blog and my online store. (but those are just the tip of the iceberg – cliche – of the tens of thousands of photos that can possibly be posted)

I continue to uncover many things that people didn’t know or completely forgot about which is in tandem with my mission of

The first regimental calendar that I produced has gotten rave reviews by all who have seen it and purchased it. The calendar – “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ is still for sale and will be through MARCH 31, 2009. It will disappear from online sales after that date to make those that have been produced more valuable.

I will be issuing a COLLECTOR’ S Edition limited to 250 copies that will be more robust and AUTOGRAPHED by me… At a premium price. And once they’re gone. NO MORE CALENDARS FOR 2009!

The calendar has spawned the COLLECTOR’S EDITION SET OF 13 NOTECARDS drawn from the photographs that appear in the calendar. Those are now for sale as I work on the theme, content for the 2010 calendars. Yes calendarS … more than one… you’ll have to wait for more details as I’ve got other announcements prior to those becoming available. (I could do a screen saver if anyone would like to purchase it… “

As I’ve done with the Special Forces Association, I’ve extended my support and joined The Old Guard Association. I’m really honored to be an Associate Member as my credentials and welcome letter arrived in yesterday’s mail. I’m looking forward to the upcoming 11th reunion of the association in October.

Within the confines of those days from the first cry ’til now there has been more good than I can account for. I want to thank all of my family, friends, my advisors/mentors and associates for all that you’ve done and continue to do to guide me on this journey of life.

To all my Brothers in the Battery — “GUNS GO LONG!”

Thanks!

Another 700 photos…

Highlights-

• Presidential Salute Battery
• Fort Myer Military Community
• US Army Band – Pershing’s Own
• The Old Guard – Honor Guard Drilling

I spent the day on Fort Myer, VA – it was a very active day and I had a lot that I wanted to get accomplished. The Presidental Salute Battery was drilling all morning in their favorite spot near the Old Post Chapel. A selection of 4 of the 1942 vintage anti-tank guns were in place when I arrived and it appeared that the platoon was out in nearly full force. Most of the photos were captured while they were presented with various different scenarios – misfires on one or more of the guns – to assure that the timing of the required number of rounds is accurate.

After lunch it was time to head over to the Fort Myer Military Garrison HQ with the chance I could spend some time with the Historian, Mr. Kim Holien. I had brought along with me two of the Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Tribute Albums which I prepared. Fortunately, he was able to spare a few minutes out of his busy day and allow me to get to know him a bit and present what my work had been so far. I shared with him one of the Tribute Albums and after careful inspection of it at least twice, he gave me what I consider a valued compliment saying that he wished I was around when his father was laid to rest at ANC.

Next stop was Brucker Hall, home of Pershing’s Own – the US Army Band to get some much needed information on music.

I went next spend some time meeting with The Old Guard PAO -

From there I squeezed in a conference call as I sat in my vehicle in front of the Old Post Chapel (constructed in 1935 as ordered by then LTC George Patton. It was after 4 PM and there in front of the chapel were dozens of soldiers some with rifles, bayonets fixed (The Old Guard is the only regiment in the US Army permitted to march with fixed bayonets as approved by an act of the US Congress for their outstanding success in the war with Mexico)

The soldiers were practicing their duties in both casket team – transporting the one being laid to rest and folding/presentation of the US colors and the firing party – “fire three volleys…” NOT a 21 gun salute as most people “think” when the see a military honors/funeral. Only the US President or Head of State gets 21 guns…

Latest JFK Meets BG Wm P. Yarborough

This is my initial and latest take on it

Just an FYI, the response from the mailing has been “minimal” but encouraging — perhaps they’re also accounting for the beginning of the growing red dots on the map — (see the earlier post about Clustr Maps)

400 PLUS Pieces of snail mail

It was a bit overwhelming when the pages and pages of labels came out of the printer as I prepared to alert the members of the Washington DC Special Forces Association that it was time for them to get in their Christmas Card Orders, along with informing them that I had turned the collage commemorating the President John F. Kennedy meeting of then BG Wm P. Yarborough into cards. If you remember, this collage sent by the President has been nestled away for over 40 yrs and is now part of the Special Forces Association collection.

A portion of the profits made from the sale of those cards will be donated back to the US Army Special Forces Association.

SFA notecard Personalization offer was also included. We’ ll see how full the Post Office Box is in a few days since the mailing went out today.

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.