It was early, and I needed more ink for the mailing I was doing, so off to Staples I went.
While waiting there for them to retrieve the ink cartidge for me, I spotted a man all adorned with his military insignia, so I engaged him only to find out that he was both a Korean and Vietnam veteran AND Special Forces, 5th Group to be exact … I know many who have served in that group and are headquartered at Fort Campbell in Kentucky.
After I learned some of his service, I shared with him the way I’m “giving back” with the photography at Arlington National Cemetery and the final honors.
He reached into his pocket and then offered his hand for me to shake it… in his palm was his own personal challenge coin…
“Thank you sir… Thank you for your service.” I said to him.
Posted 4 years, 3 months ago at 12:00 pm. Add a comment
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.
Posted 4 years, 3 months ago at 10:39 pm. Add a comment
It’s been a busy week, very busy! As the holiday season kicks into high gear, I’ve polished off the graphic design hat and taken off the photography one for now. The outcome has been a flurry of results that highlight the richness and splendor of heraldry of the US Army – 3d Infantry Regiment “THE OLD GUARD”, Special Forces, Airborne, and more, the OSS Society.
I’ve included a new slideshow highlighting the dozens of cards that are now available. There are flyers that are available to get your cards before Thanksgiving… Personalized even with your name on the front…
Posted 4 years, 3 months ago at 2:39 pm. Add a comment
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 M
ichael 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.
GHTime Code(s): 3c053 Posted 4 years, 4 months ago at 9:02 am. Add a comment
After studying for several years, I do believe that the United States military has a wonderful heritage and their heraldry is outstanding! For the past several years it has been an ongoing study of the crests, the patches, the badges, and the regimental colors that adorn the United States military.
While attending the Special Forces Association reunion in Fayetteville, NC it was an opportune time to introduce the distinctive line of military notecards that have continued to expand beyond the special forces to other Army units first among the Airborne, then onto the Cavalry and other infantry units. (I added the OSS Society and US Army’s 3d Infantry Regiment – “The Old Guard” as 2006 continued to march on and I photographed their reunions in September of 2006.)
Complimenting these distinctive notecards has been a set of Christmas Cards that announce the greetings of the season. The main page has a sample of the one of the four that I designed for the OSS Society. I’ve also had a complementary set for the US Special Forces and “The Old Guard”. Next on the list will probably be the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions.
It is a nice way to promote the history and pride of the military that has done so much for the United States of America.
Posted 4 years, 4 months ago at 11:34 am. Add a comment
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
