Мерры Чристмас !
Or for those who cannot read Russian Cyrillic -
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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
“Preserving the memories so others will remember…” ™
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!
Posted 1 year ago at 6:02 am. Add a comment
The "Colonel of the Regiment" …
Several years ago, I was introduced by one of my advisors to MG Donald C. Hilbert, US Army (Ret.) who at one point was the Commander of the 3d Infantry Regiment – The Old Guard and later commanded the Military District of Washington. He was kind enough to introduce me to The Old Guard Association. This paved the way for me to further my knowledge of the oldest infantry regiment in the US Army.
I once again visited with MG Hilbert the last week in January and once again I was allowed some time with him to review the progress I’d made, the work I’m now doing and present him with an autographed version of “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ calendar.
It’s through his support and encouragement along with the rest of my mentors/advisors/supporters that I continue my ongoing mission of “Preserving the memories so others will remember…” ™
Thank you General for your time & support!
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 1:17 am. Add a comment
Photography by John Michael announces a "FIRST for the 3d"!
In a ground breaking milestone and what is believed to be the “Inaugural” calendar, John Michael – a professional photographer & military historian – has created and published “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ about US Army’s 3d Infantry Regiment – The OLD GUARD – the most historic and the oldest infantry regiment in the United States military.
Since 2000, John Michael has continually photographed this elite regiment while they executed their ceremonial missions. It was earlier this year while doing research on a book that he’s writing about a specialty platoon within the regiment that he concluded the need for this calendar. In speaking with men who had served in the 1950’s – 1960s – 1970s and to-date, none could recall that there was a calendar produced about the entire regiment.
John Michael poured over the thousands of photographs he had available and thought the theme of “The Old Guard on Parade” would be an appropriate one for 2009 in light of the upcoming Presidential Inauguration. The Old Guard will play a key role on Inauguration Day ushering in the new President, Barack Obama.
With a textual history included, the Calendar’s photographs feature the many specialty units within the Regiment including:
- The Presidential Salute Battery,
- The Caisson Platoon,
- US Army Drill Team,
- Commander in Chief’s Guard,
- The Fife and Drum Corps,
- The Continental Color Guard.
“It has been an honor to be able to photograph these fine troops and the work they do.” said John Michael “I’ve been blessed to observe and capture in photographs much of the work these soldiers do as part of their daily schedule. They are truly the finest and Americans should be proud to have such an outstanding treasure in the US Army.”
The US Army 3d Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard” has its origins dating back to 1784 when the United States was evolving from the colonies to a sovereign country. This US Army elite regiment (Escort to the President) has a dual responsibility of both the defense of the United States Capital area and the ceremonial missions it carries out.
These include Presidential Inaugurations, White House arrivals, State Funerals, the final honors support at Arlington National Cemetery – and only military unit who has continuously guarded the Tomb of the Unknowns, and More.
When John Michael previewed the calendar to a noted Washington DC based military historian, the response was “John Michael is an athlete with a natural talent for photography who over the years has honed and fine tuned his skills through experience. This calendar is another of his creative works packaged for the world to enjoy and appreciate.”
The calendar comes in three versions -
- “THE STANDARD”,
- “THE STANDARD with EXTRAS” and the
- “PREMIUM”
All of the Calendars feature 12 months of photos from John Michael. The second version provides a brief history of the 3d Infantry Regiment and each of the specialty units featured in the calendar. The PREMIUM version of the calendar is a larger format and contains more descriptive information about the OLD GUARD.
John Michael will also offer the “PREMIUM COLLECTORS EDITION” – a limited “autographed” quantity of 250 which will be numbered.
The first version is available directly on line for purchase, the latter versions are available directly from Photography by John Michael.
When John Michael is asked why he’s devoted nearly the last ten years immersed in capturing, recording and presenting the work of the US military with a focus on the US Army, his reply is that he’s been given an on-going mission of “Preserving the memories so others will remember…” ™
John Michael continues his ongoing tradition of “giving back” – Proceeds from the sale of all the calendar’s versions will be donated to the 3d Infantry Regiment’s OLD GUARD LADIES ASSOCIATION to assist in their support of the active duty troops within the Regiment.
ABOUT John Michael – He resides in Alexandria, VA with many decades of photography experience. Since 2000 he has photographed the final honors at Arlington National Cemetery. photographed reunions of the Special Forces Association (Fayetteville, NC) the OSS Society (Arlington, VA), The Old Guard Association (TOGA). His creative talents have also resulted in an ever-growing assortment of military heraldry note cards, Christmas cards and greeting cards featuring scenes of Arlington National Cemetery. His book on the “Big Guns of the Old Guard” will be published in Spring of 2009.
Posted 1 year, 2 months ago at 6:03 am. Add a comment
Never Falter – THE OLD GUARD’s 60th…
The year was 1948, the United States was getting back to a world that was free of war and Harry Truman was President…
One of the great events that occurred that year in April of 1948, the 3d Infantry Regiment was reconstituted. Designated to protect and defend Washington, DC as the tactical side, the regiment’s other duties included the ceremonial support for the workings of Washington, DC and final honor support at Arlington National Cemetery.
Last week, The Old Guard Association held it’s 11th annual reunion, bringing together those who served with honor from the past 60 years.
They never falter… they always execute their missions as perfect as can be…
Posted 1 year, 5 months ago at 6:20 am. Add a comment
Clouds of Melancholy…
For the past several days I’ve had a big black cloud hovering over me and I couldn’t figure out why… I finally figured out why – 9 / 11
It was 7 years ago that morning I had an early meeting in Georgetown and on the way home passed by the Pentagon before the plane hit. I was home when the second plane hit the twin towers and watched the horrid event on the TV. It was just a while later that the combination of the sound and shaking from the Pentagon hit rushed down I395 and rattled the very building that I was in.
There was little connection over the years until the summer of 2007, when a friend of mine’s mother visited and we toured Arlington National Cemetery. She had a keen interest in the 9/11 Pentagon memorial. We headed there after our visit to the Tomb of the Unknowns to watch the changing of the guard (The OLD GUARD – 3d Infantry Regiment of the US ARMY does such a outstanding job!) Among those who were laid to rest in that area (Section 64)
Among them are 64 of the 184 people killed when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon. Most of them (50) lie together, near the simple granite marker bearing all 184 names. (The others are in various locations throughout the cemetery.) The Pentagon itself can be discerned through nearby trees. Inside the Pentagon chapel shine new stained glass windows made by survivors of the attack. When I toured the Pentagon with TOGA (The Old Guard Association) in 2006, it was a very unusual feeling when we entered the chapel area. To me it seemed like those who perished there were still among us. May they rest in peace…
“The heroes that sleep in these hills” will always be remembered.
