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…
Mission: ANC
Arlington National Cemetery
For those who have followed me on Facebook, you have seen how from Saturday morning in the frenzy of the snowstorm, I attempted daily to get into Arlington National Cemetery. The mission was to capture some of the beauty of this hallowed place in the snow… ANC closed on Saturday, and when I arrived, the barriers were symbolically across Memorial Drive.
I turned around and decided that Sunday morning was probably a better choice and when I returned on Sunday, I found the roadway of Memorial Drive completely clear thanks to the efforts of the National Park Service. Alas, the gates of ANC were closed and locked …
Posted 8 months, 1 week ago at 11:36 am. 2 comments
Sometimes we forget the sacrifices..
Today 11 NOV is Veterans’ Day – I thank all who have given of themselves for their service.
There are nearly 125,000 Americans who are buried on foreign soil among 24 cemeteries in places such as Tunisia in North Africa, Flanders Field in Belgium… Continue Reading…
Posted 9 months, 3 weeks ago at 6:47 am. Add a comment
Operation Dragoon 15 AUG 1944
THE FORGOTTEN – OTHER D-DAY….
At the Rhone American Cemetery north of St. Tropez, in the little city of Draguignan, above all the graves, a stone wall is inscribed:
“We who lie here died that future generations might live in peace.”
In all, 250,000 Allied soldiers stormed France’s Mediterranean shores on Aug. 15, 1944, just 70 days after the D-Day landings at Normandy, catching German troops in a pincer so tight that Hitler muttered to aides, “This is the darkest day of my life.”
Posted 1 year ago at 9:36 am. Add a comment
I will never leave a fallen comrade…
The news that the remains of the downed US Navy pilot from the first Iraq war was comforting for all and shows the determination to find those who have pledged to defend the United States of America.
Over the years, I have been blessed to capture the final honors of many of those who were considered “Missing in Action” from WW II, from the Korean War, from the Vietnam War — it provides closure for the family, friends and comrades that anxiously await word that someday their loved ones were found.
Earlier this year, I attended a US Army Special Forces event and was moved by the narration that began the evening about the table that you see to your left. I was able to secure a copy of the narration and I offer it to you…
“Preserving the memories so others will remember…” ™
Continue Reading…
Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 9:20 pm. 2 comments
Nearly 60 Years ago – Armed Forces Day
In August of 1949, it was Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson who proclaimed 3rd Saturday in May – A day to honor those who are serving in the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard & Marines!
It was 20 MAY 1950, when President Harry S. Truman declared the first Armed Forces Day to thank those who serve to protect the freedoms of our United States of America.
Some 44 million Americans have served in the Armed Forces of the United States according to the Veterans’ Administration. It’s because of them and the ones who now serve that I can sit here and write these words without any cause of concern.
Thank someone in the military today…
Posted 1 year, 3 months ago at 9:20 am. 1 comment
A Rare Coincidence… Dual Missions…
The day began with that “perfect” final honors I wrote about earlier at Arlington National Cemetery. The day for the soldiers of the 3d Infantry Regiment – The Old Guard – – began earlier their day with a regimen of physical training, then at 1000, the preparations for the two missions at 1500 in Arlington National Cemetery for MG Alvin C Welling, US Army (Ret) and RADML Chauncey F. Hoffman US Navy (Ret).
I found one section of the Presidential Salute Battery at a location between the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and President John F. Kennedy’s grave. The other section was on the other side of the hill to the North. The rain poured down as the soldiers waited for the commo call to begin their mission, and off in the distance, one could hear the other battery section firing the salutes for the Admiral.
It was minutes later that the soldiers around me got into formation and we saw the procession to the South of us for General Welling. When the commo call came through the guns fired. The photo you see above is the first round in that mission.
Despite all the rain and cold, both sections executed their missions with precision & perfection.
“Guns go long…”
Posted 1 year, 7 months ago at 12:54 am. Add a comment
I couldn’t sleep …
Last night was a bit of a challenge, and I continued to wake and finally out of something to distract the active mind, I turned on the laptop and resumed my synopsis of Tuesday… I didn’t finish yet. I must admit I checked email and found that my network of friends & fans continued to grow.
I also saw that a soldier on their 3d deployment was on – it was morning there. but no reason for me to be on. I reached out and we had a nice chat. Nice, but rather disturbing. I learned from him that he had to reach into his own funds and buy ‘necessities’ for his soldiers. I was shocked and dismayed that we send our soldiers into harm’s way and we can’t provide “basic coverage” to do their jobs.
I alerted him to a website that I’ve used repeatedly to surprise the troops with “STUFF” that I have assembled (paperback books, treats, batteries, even my notecards with plenty of pens). I urged him to sign up and see what ‘donations’ he could attract.
I know that it’s tight for a lot of us these days (me included) but if you can, go out to the website http://www.anysoldier.com/ and pick a soldier and find out what they want/need and if you can send it off. You’ll feel better. I know I do when I head to the post office with that package.
They’re fighting for you… won’t you help them?
Posted 1 year, 7 months ago at 12:47 pm. Add a comment
11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month…
To all of those who have served and continue to serve to protect the freedoms of democracy in the United States and the world….
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Posted 1 year, 9 months ago at 12:00 pm. Add a comment
A Tale of Two Subs…
I just finished the book that was sent to me – “A Tale of Two Subs” by Jonathan J. McCullough is an intensive read. I couldn’t put the book down, despite my busy schedule. I found the information presented in such a way that it became a “page turner” for me.
The book tells of the interaction of a pair of sister submarines in WW II and a series of events that occurred fifty-five years ago ending in Novemeber of 1943 in the Pacific.
The author does a great service to this much ironic set of events, while interspersing the lengths that the Allies went to uncover the secret codes of the Japanese and the Germans.
Thumbs Up and thanks for the great insights.
