Blogs
Indiana Veterans at World War II Memorial
Indiana Veterans at World War II Memorial

Congressman Steve Buyer who is on the joint House and Senate Veterans oversight committee met the Indiana group at the World War II Memorial as he always does.  He’s an interesting guy who makes sure that Veterans groups toe the line and get some of the money back to veterans. I’ve seen him tackle some of the […]

Chiefs of Staff at the World War II Memorial
Chiefs of Staff at the World War II Memorial

As George Kerestes and I wandered through the crowds at the World War II Memorial today, he said “why that looks like General George Casey>” and sure enough, there he was with his family and no security chatting up veterans and getting ready to go a service across 17th Street for Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan veterans.  And […]

Memorabilia at the World War II Memorial
Memorabilia at the World War II Memorial

John Anderson of Canton, Ohio had a very elaborate book of photos, news articles and personalities that he had encountered during his time in Europe…including a spell at the Battle of the Bulge. It was beautifully done and the kind of piece that the Library of Congress is beginning to collect.  If you know any […]

Rolling Thunder at World War II Memorial
Rolling Thunder at World War II Memorial

My book still isn’t on display at the World War II Memorial but today the next best thing…. the Honor Flight RV driven by President Jim McLaughlin… was on-site. There are at least twenty of my photos on the RV and my name and website will be on the back bumper. Now that my friends […]

Practice Makes Perfect at the World War II Memorial
Practice Makes Perfect at the World War II Memorial

Four Honor Flight groups (Cleveland,Chicago, Iowa, Missouri) came in as did two surprise buses from West Virginia and Pennsylvania who were transporting Veterans to the World War II Memorial but aren’t part of Honor Flight.  They will be able to download their pictures as well at the September 17, 2008 photo site.  Senator Harken of Iowa joined […]

“Women in Military Service to America” Museum
"Women in Military Service to America" Museum

Behind this wall at Arlington Cemetery is the Women in Military Service to American Museum often overlooked because of it’s position just below Lee House.  The architects essentially dug behind the retaining wall of the cemetery and put in the most astonishingly beautiful museum in the city.  Unfortunately, they can’t get a sign out of […]

Nebraska’s Cutting Edge
Nebraska's Cutting Edge

  The Arlington Police Department has been a good friend to Honor Flight. They also have some beautiful artwork on their tanks!!!  Their Motor Squad lead both Nebraska flights into the World War II Memorial.  Then, the United States Air Force drill team showed up today to entertain the Nebraska contingent.  Their feats of “derring-do” […]

“Horizon to Horizon”
"Horizon to Horizon"

My photography has taken on a new mobility. Take a look at the pictures of Earl Morse’s new RV which was donated to Honor Flight. “Pimp My Ride, Dude!!!” In my wildest dreams, I never thought of my photographs on wheels.  I can’t wait for the Park Service to see it.  If only I could […]

Fall Flights Flying
Fall Flights Flying

Honor Flights from fives states came in September 10th, 2008 and there are flights expected every Wednesday and Saturday with a few Tuesday flights as well so it’s going to be a busy season at the World War II Memorial.  The photographs from yesterday are on the book site.  One of the interesting aspects of the […]

Guilding my day…
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 […]

Siouxland, Iowa at World War II Memorial
Siouxland, Iowa at World War II Memorial

Sens. Charles Grassley and Tom Harkin from Iowa and Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska spoke with the men about the importance of service to their country and the sacrifices they had made at the World War II Memorial.  Former Director of the VA Jim Nicolson was there and Senator Dole, despite a trip to Vermont […]

Sky Views….Google’s take on the World War II Memorial
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
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 […]

Chicago and Cleveland at World War II Memorial
Chicago and Cleveland at World War II Memorial

Chicago, Cleveland and Northwest Ohio arrived at the World War II Memorial today with appoximaely 150 vets and 100 guardians.  It was a breezy 82 degrees and Senator Dole was on hand to greet the vets as were Jeff Miller and Earl Morse.  Mary Pettinato of Chicago is shown here “reunited” with her veteran.  The […]

Fox in the Morning…Fox in the Evening
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!!! […]

Public Service Announcement and TV documentary on WTTG
Public Service Announcement and TV documentary on WTTG

On August 20th, DC’s WTTG Fox 5 TV will have a television crew working on a piece for broadcast. Senator Dole, Earl Morse and Jeff Miller will be joining Jeanmarie Kapp, Chicago, Jan Merrick, Cleveland and Dee Pakulski, Northwest Ohio and 160 vets and 100 guardians at the World War II Memorial.  It should be […]

World War II Database
World War II Database

  I discovered the “World War II Database” while routing about the web.  If you are traveling to the WWII Memorial or just interested in WWII, there are plenty of facts to enhance your veteran’s experience.  It’s interesting that there are so many independent scholars out there working to expand our information resources. As Peter […]

Columbus and Dayton Honor Flights at World War II Memorial
Columbus and Dayton Honor Flights at World War II Memorial

Honor Flight Dayton led by Jim Salamon and Honor Flight Columbus lead by Bobbi and Bill Richards swung through the World War II Memorial yesterday and were as usual greeted by Senator Dole.  Both Susan Barr and Dave Bauer were along to direct the festivities.  The pictures are available and downloadable for free at the WWII […]

Unstoppable: George Kerestes
Unstoppable:  George Kerestes

George Kerestes is one of our Nations’s most outstanding citizens and is on hand every Saturday to greet visitors and talk up the World War II Memorial.  He works at the Department of Energy and walks at lunchtime, sometimes adorned in a red, white and blue tie to get his “constitutional” and say hello to […]

Unflappable
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
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
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
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
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 […]