If I weren't a photojournalist, I can't honestly say I would have
attended a Memorial Day ceremony Monday. It's far too easy to sleep
in on what would normally be an additional day off, or head off to the
family barbecue an hour early. But that's exactly why I love my job: It
forces me to experience and appreciate things I might otherwise pass on
by. For those who have served our country or lost a loved one in war,
no other day is more important.
As I approached a veteran in the
crowd at Muskego's ceremony and asked him for his name, he actually
thanked me for taking his picture. It caught me off guard for two
reasons: First, it's rare for people to thank me for taking their photos.
Some actually run away. Second, he shouldn't have been the one doing
the thanking — it was HIS day to be recognized.
Nikon D2H, 170 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/5000, Manual
Joseph Streff (center), a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post 488, salutes Monday, May 26, 2008, at a Memorial Day ceremony,
held at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. Mayor Jack Chiovatero and
Senator Mary Lazich addressed the crowd.
Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/8000, Manual
Dennis Duran, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8171,
watches the red, white and blue balloons float into the air Saturday,
May 24, 2008, during Muskego's Memorial Day Ceremony, held at ProHealth
Care Regency, Muskego. The ceremony included several readings, songs, a
Memorial Wreath, a salute by the Rifle Squad, and remarks by Tracy
Snead, Muskego's Common Council president.
Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8171 bow their heads
in prayer Saturday, May 24, 2008, during Muskego's Memorial Day
Ceremony, held at ProHealth Care Regency, Muskego. The ceremony
included several readings, songs, a Memorial Wreath, a salute by the
Rifle Squad, and remarks by Tracy Snead, Muskego's Common Council
president.
Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/1250, Manual
Patryk Schlomann, 12, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 93, out of New
Berlin, grabs a balloon Monday, May 26, 2008, at a Memorial Day
ceremony, held at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. Names of deceased
veterans were attached to the balloons and released at the conclusion
of the ceremony. Mayor Jack Chiovatero and Senator Mary Lazich
addressed the crowd.
