About the Book
Guilding my day…
I had the opportunity this morning to show my work to the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, DC. What a gracious group and what an appreciative audience! Throughout my career, I’ve seen these Guild Guides in Museums, on the Mall, in historic houses…. always leading groups of people and adorned in large conspicuous […]
Sky Views….Google’s take on the World War II Memorial
Google’s new GPS and mapping features are extraordinary. Using “Sketchup”, Google’s new free software, you can not only see the World War II Memorial from space and determine the distance to bookstores but you can also create your own 3D model of the Memorial. To say it’s handy for builders and would be home and office […]
1025 yards….a matter of interpretation at World War II Memorial
The first thing people ask at the World War II Memorial is where they can get some more information besides the little pamphlet. I am not the only person behind the movment to make the “building” South of the Memorial capable of selling a few interpretive items. These items are what the NPS likes to […]
Fox in the Morning…Fox in the Evening
Fox Television graciously hosted Senator Dole and Honor Flight this AM with an interview first with anchorman Steve Chenevey and then 3 Public Service Announcements and finally fox sent a cameraman down to the Memorial for a special on Honor Flight that will be broadcast tonight. If anyone has a Tivo, cue that puppy up!!! […]
Unflappable
Much like the National Park Service, the so-called Canadian Geese have immigrated to the United States and sit fat and happy enjoying the largesse of the American People. The leadership of the Park Service are currently asking for 50 million they claim they need to “maintain” the National Mall. They might try selling books at […]
Technology and Art, World War II Memorial
Towards the opening days of the World War II Memorial, much of the stone work was finished and the fountains were being tuned. The eagles were being welded together and you could sit up amongst them on a scaffold. I spent almost two weeks photographing the welding which was very carefully done by Apex Piping. All […]
Presidential Guards
As I strolled onto the Mall, I saw a well-organized group of joggers on the other side of the Mall and thought to myself: “We could use that nice bright color for our pictures!” Well, if wishes were photographs, you’d get this. It turns out the Navy Presidential ceremonial guard was out for some “exercise” […]
Columbus Flight Finds Sponsorship
Ms. Mary Marta and her dad Frank Perone pose with Senator Dole at the World War II Memorial. Mary was so moved by Honor Flight that she sponsored not only this whole flight but the next flight in two weeks. Generosity like this has enabled Bobbie and Bill Richards to schedule three more flights this […]
Ray Kaskey Website
If you have some extra time before your next trip to the Memorial, take a visit to sculptor Ray Kaskey’s website. Ray is without doubt the most “monumental” sculptor on the planet today and the articles on his website detail some interesting aspects of his career. “Near saves” when the town of Portland raised a few […]
Bluegrass Rules
There was some rain in the DC area last night and Brian Duffy of the Bluegrass Honor Flight called to say they’d be a bit late but everything worked out fine. Honor Flights have been lucky with the weather and Brian’s group was no exception. They managed to get to the World War II Memorial […]
Michigan gets support from Air Force at WWII Memorial
Michigan Honor Flight has to be breaking new records with a flight every other week this Summer. Today they had about forty vets and fifteen guardians. They arrived just after the big rains and were just finishing up their tour of the World War II Memorial when Senator Dole arrived. They seemed to be picking […]
Ground Support Builds at World War II Memorial
Scott Williams Commander of the American Legion Post out of Purcellville, Virginia is on hand every Saturday with his crew to pass out water and help the WWII Veterans get around the World War II Memorial. Today, this hat was floating around on one of his guys and while I haven’t gotten the complete story […]
Touring with Rangers at World War II Memorial
National Park Service Rangers are always available to do group tours of the World War II Memorial. The National Park Service is adapting to the new Memorial and providing better services and accomodations to visitors. The rangers know the Memorial intimately and a guided tour will surprise you in the complexity of the Memorial. The Memorial looks […]
Happy Birthday Senator Dole!!!!
Dear Senator Dole: Happy Birthday from Honor Flight, HonorAir, your wonderful staff, friends, admirers, colleagues– all the people you have been working with to help get your fellow veterans to the National WWII Memorial. Among your many achievements, the Memorial is certainly your most beautiful! ADD YOUR GREETING IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW
Michigan: Pride and Honor Flight at World War II Memorial
It was a beautiful daydown at the World War II Memorial and Faye Wisely of “Pride and Honor Flight MIchigan” was already on scene with 85 vets and 25 guardians. Faye was the first person I sent a book to last year and my initial contact with Honor Flight. I believe this is her second […]
Cleveland Browns?
My long lost cousin Senator Sherrod Brown showed up today to greet Veterans at the World War II Memorial. The Brown family is large and influential and it was good to find a family member out there along with Congresswoman Betty Sutton greeting our veterans. Cleveland has been in a couple of times this year and […]
Smile you “huskers”….
As I strolled over to the World War II Memorial after greeting Bill and Evonne Wiliams at the bus, I heard a young women (left) shouting “Smile you Huskers!” . Wow!! another “serial cusser” I thought to myself… and I headed over to meet her only to find out that “huskers” has something to do […]
Independence
It’s the Fourth of July and I’m staying home today. I’ve seen a lot of the Mall this year and I can see the national fireworks from my roof and barbecue some Kansas City steaks…..! Congratulations and thanks to everyone I’ve met through Honor Flight this year. It has been a memorable time and I […]
“Jewel of the Mall: World War II Memorial” discounted to Veterans Groups
If you are a veterans’ group interested in purchasing “Jewel of the Mall: World War II Memorial” books as a memento for your WWII Vets, please contact the studio at srb@srbphoto.com or 202-667-1965. In September, I will be doing another printing and I assume with this gas crisis that it will tough to keep the […]
Long Island Makes Second Trip of the Year
Chris Cosich and his Long Island group arrived at the WWII Memorial today. It’s good to see that my home turf is well-represented and active in Honor Flight. This is their second trip of the year and I believe they plan two more in the Fall. Here’s a family grouping. Honoree of the day was 1st […]
“Mad Dogs and Englishmen”
I have to admit that “photo detail” with Senator Dole at the WWII Memorial is an endurance event. He can stand in the hot sun and shake hands for half the day. He’s jostled, grabbed, poked, prodded and maintains a composure that is I guess what you’d have to call almost Presidential. He’ll make a […]
Touring the Bas Reliefs at the World War II Memorial
As I mentioned earlier, Senator Dole joined the veterans as Earl Morse was giving them the tour of the bas reliefs which greet the visitor from the front entrance to the World War II Memorial. The twenty four bas reliefs contain 255 figures and their construction is what lead me to initially begin this project. […]
Dynamic Duo…
Of late, I’m feeling like the unelected “Mayor” of the WWII Memorial and tend to stroll up to folks and ask “what’s up?” Well today, Fred Smith, Veteran, decorated Marine and Founder and Chairman of Fedex was up. He had brought three Okinawa veterans and was doing a mini honor flight. And then along comes […]
Kilroy Returns
Located in the entrance to the service entrance of the WWII Memorial is a cartoon face with the caption “Kilroy Was Here.” For the past month, he’s been inaccessible because of the sidewalk expansion which is now finished. One of the Park Rangers told me that people who don’t know who Kilroy was have reported […]