PART ONE: TOG on a Mission – 2010
Here’s a more in-depth look at the making and background of the calendar – “The Old Guard on Mission – 2010″ – some history and little known facts…
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Spirit of America – US Army Style!
I had a small inkling of what to expect having spent many days among the Old Guard and US Army Band – “Pershing’s Own” – but after the show began, I thought different. What unfurled was a extravaganza that kept moving right up until intermission… it was fast action, informative, precision, pageantry with a heavy dose of history mixed into the delivery. I was truly impressed and after the two hours of show, my camera had recorded over 800 photos of these Soldiers in action… I’m sure the attendees in Columbus, OH and Providence, RI would have the same impression or better.
GHTime Code(s): b18a9 770e0 f0f61 718e8Posted 2 years, 4 months ago at 11:59 am. Add a comment
Honoring Those Who Gave So Much…
The US Army celebrated its
234th birthday on 14 JUN 2009…
One of the most solemn and dignified ceremonies occurred in Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on that morning…
a full honors wreath ceremony
placed by
the Secretary of the Army, Honorable Pete Geren,
Chief of Staff of the Army, General George W. Casey Jr.
and
Sergeant Major of the Army, SMA Kenneth Preston.
Hosted by Commanding General of the Military District of Washington, Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr, the full honors included:
a complement of The US Army’s 3d Infantry -
The Old Guard,
The US Army Band, Pershing’s Own
and
Color Guard.
After the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, General Casey and Sergeant Major Preston visited each of the 24 former Chiefs of Staff and 2 Sergeants Major of the Army’s final resting places and placed a wreath in honor of their service to the United States of America.
General of the Armies & Former Chief of Staff General John J. Pershing’s gravesite
Posted 2 years, 7 months ago at 9:59 pm. Add a comment
Arlington National Cemetery ……. Memorial Day Reflections
Over the years, Arlington National Cemetery has become a very special place to me. I have spent countless hours exploring, learning and capturing in photographic memories some of the significance, the solemnity, the beauty of this National Shrine to those who have given so much.
Few days stand out as much as Memorial Day, for it is over that weekend that the US Army’s 3d Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard once again goes above and beyond by placing the US colors one boot length away in front of every grave stone in the cemetery.
Normally on this day, I’ll wait ’til after the formal ceremonies are over and movement around the cemetery is a bit easier as the President has left. This year, I was determined to actively participate and made it into the amphitheater near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. The sun was hot, but hidden by clouds most of the time, that later gave up some of their rain to add a bit of liquid sunshine to the day…
Off in the distance, the Presidential Salute Battery began firing the 21 Gun Salute, announcing the arrival of the President. So many times I’ve watched up close and personal the precise way that they execute their mission I could see in my mind’s eye, the watchman of the Battery calling each gun at precise 3 second intervals as each salute echoed through the hills of the cemetery.
One could then hear the commanders of the multi service honor guard call their troops to attention as the President approached the Tomb of the Unknown
After laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed by a moment of silence, The bugler from the US Army’s Band – Pershing’s Own sounded Taps. Those 21 notes echoing among the open air of the moment.
President came into the amphitheater, preceded by the US Army Chaplain, Superintendent of of Arlington National Cemetery, Commanding General of the Military District of Washington and the Head of the Joint Chiefs’ of Staff.
The President addressed the standing room only crowd and shared his thoughts with those assembled.
Afterwards, I went among those assembled and spent some time with those I knew and made some new friends among the slowly vanishing crowd. As the crowd dispersed, I began my exploring to several sections among those that had given so much. I went to Section 13 which has a great number of Unknowns…
It’s hard to describe the feelings that run through when one considers that for each of these stones, marks a contribution that always cannot be measured, or in most cases cannot be repaid.
I’ll let the photos take you there…
Posted 2 years, 8 months ago at 9:16 pm. 1 comment
The Key to a Perfect Mission…
I delivered the inaugural calender – “The Old Guard on Parade – 2009″ to the OGLA gift shop on Monday. While I was there on Fort Myer, I had parked near the Old Post Chapel, and came across two maybe three soldiers working – planning out an upcoming final honors – it’s for SMA Bainbridge, who will be laid to rest on 28 JAN 2009.
They worked from a schematic that showed the ultimate formation of 3d Infantry soldiers and the US Army Band. Marking the pavement to assure that the mission would be executed with “OLD GUARD PRECISION” (it seems that everything I’ve ever observed about this regiment is always done in an exacting way and there are practices, planning and perfection included in all they do) I then thought about the planning, the logistics, the coordination and involvement of “creating an event” that is only done once. There’s no “do overs” with a final honors.
I think the family and friends of SMA Bainbridge will be really pleased when the SMA’s honors are done… it’s going to be perfect!
