Fallen Heros

I was asked a couple of weeks ago to photograph the funeral service of the father of a friend and a World War II veteran. It was stated during his service that he was in Patton's army, that would be General Patton for those of you seem to remember something about that guy from your history books.

It was an unusual request for me, I had photographed the service of one of the first soldiers killed in Iraq some eight or nine years ago from the Grand Rapids area. As a photographer I think when you photograph things like this you want to show the utmost humility and respect while at the same time communicating the magnitude of what is happening before you.

If you have never attended a




military funeral it really is something that is not only a somber occasion but it is also filled with pageantry and tradition, culminating with the presentation of the flag which once draped over the coffin to the family. On this day the service was held within a chapel, it was hot as all chapels are when you put over 50 people into a small space. This day was truly a majestic August day, as the temperatures climbed into mid 80's under the mid-day sun. The piercing sound of the first rounds of the 21 gun salute makes everyone jump in their seats, the bag piper plays amazing grace and in the distance taps can be heard. The flag is folded the same way it has been folded since it was adopted back in the 1920's and given to the family members of the thousands of military servicemen and women who have gone before us. As I am standing there against the wall trying to blend in like that's even possible, camera at the ready, I'm waiting for that moment in which the ranking military person presents the flag to the family. The sound in the chapel has simply evaporated, the silence is almost deafening, the chirping birds have stopped almost as if on cue as to not to disturb what is about to happen, the rustling sounds of the wind blowing the leaves on the trees has disappeared and the occasional sniffle and sob can no longer be heard as everyone's ears strain to hear the words that will come next; on behalf of a grateful nation it is my honor to present to you this flag.......

I was on the phone the other day with a friend and they said they would be afraid if one of their kids came to them and said they wanted to join the military. I find that to be odd, as a former veteran I would consider it to be one of the great days of my life if my sons or daughter came to me and said they wanted to serve. I truly believe there is no greater honor than to serve ones country, the military instills a great deal of pride in anyone who serves. Its hard for someone who has never served or is not the family member of a serviceman or woman to understand what it takes to be part of the military family.