WWII MEMORIAL: Jewel of the Mall

September 11, 2010 Honor Flights

Honor Flight has become such a staple in DC that I don't bother with schedules but just head down to the Memorial almost any day of the week.  My first "photo" today was Margaret Morse, mother of founder Earl. She and Earl Senior were substituting for Earl Junior who is off in Alaska with Clarisse on a well-deserved vacation. In the next sixty seconds, I ran into Jim McLaughlin, Lona, George Kerestes, Matt Mabe and "like that" as says in the "The Usual Suspects."  

I had intended to catch North Dakota but they had gotten there very early and already were on their way about town.  However, there was still plenty to photograph with Rochester, Buffalo, Alabama, Ohio, the RV crew and I believe I saw a Kentucky shirt.

The weather was absolutely perfect and it was without doubt the best that DC has to offer...cool breezes, mild temperatures and the company of thousands of veterans, tourists and friends.  The Photos from the day are at the Zenfolio site.

Dayton and Purple Heart on a Mid-August Day

This Saturday was the first cool day we've had in some time and I decided to get down to visit the WWII Memorial for the first time in a month.  Judi Wybenga and her crew of volunteers were on hand to help unload the Dayton buses.  Earl Morse and Dave Bauer showed up to distribute Purple Heart plaques around the Memorial. Photos from the day are available at the Photo Site and can be downloaded for "personal use" only.

Mission Accomplished

From the Home Page of the Honor Flight Tennessee Valley website:

On November 16, 2009 the Board approved a plan to closeout Honor Flight Tennessee Valley after an added Honor Flight #11 on May 29, 2010. We will cease accepting veteran’s applications as of 31 January 2010. Honor Flight #10 will carry 125 veterans, and the remaining veterans will be flown to DC on Honor Flight #11. Any remaining funds will be transferred to the Veteran’s Museum for the establishment of a permanent tribute to the alumni and the accomplishments of Honor Flight Tennessee Valley. Hopefully someone will step forward to start a program to carry Korean War Veterans to their Memorial – the Forgotten War.

The Flying Club

I got these photos from Earl Morse yesterday. They are going to be published in a magazine later this year but think they are just too cool not circulate. This coming weekend, the WWII Memorial is expecting something like 1300 veterans by plane, train and bus.  Honor Flight has come a long way on imagination, ingenuity and respect.  

I would imagine that in these early days Earl was gassing up his own plane and kicking the tires.  I wonder how many times he's made the trip now. I suppose that holds true for the Richards who must have the record next to Susan Barr.  

I will be down there from about 10AM to 2PM and am looking forward to an interesting day of people and photography.  

Signs of Spring!!! Columbus, North Carolina and Louisiana

After a cold Winter it was a wonderful relief to grab a cab, navigate the Cherry Blossom Parade and crowds on a stunningly beautiful day. As I wandered onto the Memorial Grounds,  my first site was George Kerestes fresh from Florida tanned and greeting veterans.  Dan Arant and a few others chatted a while as the buses made their way around the traffic.  Dan Arant has access to a Defense Library of 450,000 images and pieces of artwork form WWII and is working on couple of book projects.  He had a war bond signed by two of the characters in "The Pacific."   

Soon Bobbi and Bill Richards of Columbus were the first to arrive and we had some very interesting times together.  There is something about the Honor Flight Experience that is simply refreshing and cozy.  At one point, Bobbi got together with a veteran who seemed a bit lost and she gave him a bit of her time which I am quite sure made his day. Bobbi and Bill do small flights but twice a month and have become "family".  The photos from the day are at the PHOTO SITE and are available for download for "personal use only".  This means take the jpg and save it for your family archives and make a print or two.  The images are not available for any other use without written consent of srbphoto.com.

I will be getting to North Carolina and Mrs. Dole later in the day but wanted to get the photo link upj.

...the people who still care

Good Morning Everyone, (from Earl Morse)
 
I don’t know what the weather is like in your part of America, but here is Ohio it’s one of those wonderful perfect spring days. Warm, sunny, with a little breeze blowing.  Spring is everywhere and inescapable. Flowers coming up in every yard and about everything is blooming or starting to bloom.  What a change from a few weeks ago.  We’ve had a colder than normal winter with snow that didn’t seem to stop or melt for months. In the midst of the deep freeze, everything was dormant or dead.  Now, a complete reversal with just about everything coming to life.  People are out walking around the neighborhood.  You can feel a renewed sense of optimism, hope and expectation in the flowery, sweet smelling breeze.  

Kilroy Was Here Commemorative stamp

I got this email from Pat Tillery who is pushing to have Kilroy put on a stamp:  "Stephen, I received your excellent book yesterday.  Thank you.  After only a glance, it thoroughly exploded an old theory of mine about photography.  Back when I worked as a civilian in Bangkok, I had a Pentax 35mm camera and about 50lbs of zoom, wide angle, macro, etc lenses.  I always felt that when I went to the Grand Canyon, I would take a roll of film and have a dollar plus invested in each (plus the equipment) and cherish each no matter how bad.  Whereas a professional would go there and take a thousand pictures and throw away all but a few good ones.  Therefore . . . Not true. Now with incredible digital cameras, I went to the WWII Memorial and took a thousand pictures and threw away all but a few----yawn.  All they did was prove I have been there.  Frankly, I went to the WWII Memorial a few years ago determined to be impressed and moved.  I wasn’t until I saw you photos!  Thanks for the uplifting experience!..."

Vote for Kilroy!...And visit his website!!!

"WWII Memorial: Jewel of the Mall" book Information for Hubs

You can find information on the latest edition of the books and the discounts available to Honor Flight and other veterans groups at a new page on the blog which also details information on obtaining photography for your public relations and fund raising.  I have also included a few photo tips.

Welcome to the season!  

Gail Sparrow of Honor Flight Fayette reports that they are giving out books to veterans that can't make the trip.  As the author, I would like to see every WWII Veteran in our country get a book as a tribute to his or her service.  

A Custom book on the WWII Memorial and Honor Flight

Here's a custom book too expensive too distribute except electronically so have a look for FREE!!!  Thanks again to HBO, American Airlines, Spielberg, Hanks, Dole, Morse, Miller, McLaughlin and all who took part for a rousing start to the Honor Flight New Year!  It was definitely very cool!

HBO, Spielberg, Hanks and Dole

Four hundred WWII Veterans and their guardians followed by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Senator Elizabeth Dole and a cast of celebrities, dignitaries, and military leaders were lead by bagpiper Jeff Burton into the main Plaza of the WWII Memorial this past Thursday.  The only person missing was Senator Robert Dole who I have on some authority is recuperating and preparing himself for the Spring season.  In preparation for the premier of "The Pacific", Joanna Scholl of HBO had several months ago approached Honor Flight about putting together a "bit of a ceremony!"  In the end, 400 veterans and their guardians were flown free on specially designated American Airlines planes and Jeff Miller and Earl Morse ended up traveling to six airports in one day.  The Crystal Gateway Marriott was where everyone stayed.

 It was enough to make a grown man cry and there was a lot of weeping going on as our Veterans proceeded to their chairs and listened to Spielberg, Hanks and Mrs. Dole speak on the importance of their service.  I had center stage and you can find two thousand images online.  I had the good fortune to work with Civic Entertainment which ironed out every single possible detail including extra security, hotels, airfare, arrivals.  If you weren't subscribing to HBO, drop a dime and get your subscription.  They rock and they certainly brought Honor Flight and the WWII Memorial to the public's attention.

Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg along with Senator Dole were able to mix with the veterans with great ease and it was obvious that everyone had a great time.  The first episode was screened later in the evening at the hotel and seemed to be well-received by the WWII veterans, all of whom had fought in the Pacific. 

 Alaina Carter and her crew had arranged for probably a thousand people at the three arrivals from various airports across the country. American Airlines and Reagan National Airport staff honored the veterans not only with bands and well-wishers but the "power wash", an impressive spray from two fire engines as the plane enters the gate area. 

The volunteers for arrivals stretched down the American Terminal hallway out through security to the waiting buses. Lindsay Weiss and the crew of Civic Entertainment went to amazing lengths to ensure perfection and achieved it throughout the three days.  I doubt they slept throughout the three day period.  Closing this rather lengthy post out are a couple of pictures of the "greeters"!