3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

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Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DC

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Memorial Day weekend is special in any part of the country, but Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC is something not to be missed. The patriotism and overwhelming sense of pride and country as Americans gather to honor our military veterans who died fighting for freedom and liberty brings a tear to your eye as you wreaths are placed at every memorial.

Vietnam War Memorial- Memorial Day 2010

Whoever says that small schools don’t give their students opportunities that bigger schools can offer has never heard of Elmwood-Murdock High School. Our whole school district, K-12 has only 403 students, and an average graduating class of 36 kids. But this has not held them back.

Elmwood Murdock Marching Band, Washington DC

The band consists of over 70 students (3/4 of the student body) and in 2010 they had the opportunity to march in the Memorial Day parade and spend Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC. I was lucky to be a sponsor and the trip was nothing short of spectacular.  In just 4 1/2 days we took over 80 people to the following locations

  • Arlington Cemetery
  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: (Laid the schools band wreath)
  • Nations Capital: (experienced security at it’s finest when an abandoned baby stroller caused a evacuation of a marked perimeter)
  • World War II Memorial
  • Vietnam Memorial
  • Korean War Memorial
  • Iwo Jima Memorial
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • Memorial Day Concert on the Capital Lawn
  • Holcoust Museum
  • Memorial Day Concert on the Capital Step
  • Smithsonian Museums
  • Marching in the Memorial Day Parade

Our kids learned important lessons that weekend. Many family member serve in the military and the Vietnam Wall held special meaning for them. Tears were shed, and by the time our students placed a wreath at Arlington Cemetery there wasn’t a dry eye in the group.

WWII Memorial Washington DC on Memorial Day

My son was especially impressed by the World War II Memorial and I watched him quietly stare at the wall of stars. He asked about his grandfather and other relatives that served during WWII. That son is now a United States Marine and I couldn’t be prouder.

Photographing Washington D.C. Digital Field GuidePhotographing Washington D.C. Digital Field Guide25 Bicycle Tours In and Around Washington, D. C.: From National Monuments to Country Roads (25 Bicycle Tours)25 Bicycle Tours In and Around Washington, D. C.: From National Monuments to Country Roads (25 Bicycle Tours)Holocaust Museum In WashingtonHolocaust Museum In WashingtonArlington National Cemetery: A Guided Tour Through History (Timeline)Arlington National Cemetery: A Guided Tour Through History (Timeline)

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Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DCIf you ever get the chance to spend Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DC I would highly recommend it, take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and be proud of our country.

On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National CemeteryOn Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National CemeteryMrs. Lee's Rose Garden: The True Story of the Founding of Arlington National CemeteryMrs. Lee’s Rose Garden: The True Story of the Founding of Arlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery Became My ClassroomArlington National Cemetery Became My ClassroomAdministrative Guide To Information and Burial At Arlington National CemeteryAdministrative Guide To Information and Burial At Arlington National Cemetery

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Memorial Day Links

Memorial Day in DC: Planning Your Visit | Free Tours by Foot

Are you spending Memorial Day in DC and are you planning your visit on Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC? Free Tours by Foot has a list of the events, …
5 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day in Washington DC

Memorial Day Washington DC. Face it, the beaches will be crowded and the water is still too cold for swimming. Washington DC is the place to be for Memorial …
20 Things to Do This Weekend in Washington, DC | Washington.org

Vietnam Veteran at The Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day, Washington, DC Elvert Barnes. Stroll down the National Mall Tour the memorials on the …
The Rolling Thunder On Memorial Day 2014 – Washington DC – 5/25 …

Jun 3, 2014 … Rolling Thunder Memorial Day Washington DC 2014 – Duration: 2:14. waizzy1967 1,342 views. 2:14. DC Rolling Thunder 2014 – Duration: …

Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend in Washington, DC

During the Memorial Day weekend, people across the nation visit cemeteries and memorials in their hometown to pay homage to the fallen heroes. This year Memorial Day falls on May 26, 2014. The Nation’s Capital will hold …

‘Blessing of the Bikes’ Set for Friday at National Cathedral …

The event is planned to coordinate with the beginning of Rolling Thunder XXVII “Ride for Freedom,” the 2014 annual Memorial Day weekend gathering of bikers in the Washington, D.C. area and culminating in a ride from the …

 

County Fair Time, Oh Yeah

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The time has come for the county fair, and in Cass County Nebraska it’s a really big deal. Some call it the social event of the year, especially the teenagers. The theme last year was “Meet You At The Fair” and it was very appropriate. Where else in the county do more than thousands of people congregate at the same time socially?

It’s fun to catch up with friends, people watch and admire the open class and 4-H entries.  The open class building is probably the most popular place to visit and it’s not just for the air conditioning, although that helps. Fun lies in checking out all the entries in the photography, sewing, cooking, gardening, and crafts categories.

I have been entering photographs for over 15 years, and have won many purple ribbons, a few Reserves and one Champion. That was before the advent of digital and since then the entries have skyrocketed. Here are a few that I’m entering this year. I’ll update this after the judging and post my results.

Vietnam War Memorial- Memorial Day
Vietnam Ware Memorial- Memorial Day 2010
Vietnam Ware Memorial- Memorial Day 2010
The Wall- Memorial Day 2010

David- Civil War Reenactment
Spring Strawberry
Country Breakfast of Berries
Batters' Concentration

Sorcerer’s Apprentice-My Experience

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Sorcerer's Apprentice

Being from Nebraska I don’t get to see filming of major motion pictures very often. Yes, the picture to the left was taken by me and it was during the filming of the new film The Sorcerer’s Apprentice starring Nicolas Cage.

I was in New York City near the end of May 2009, the local high school choir had been invited to sing at Carnegie Hall and I was a trip sponsor.  Watching this was one of many trip highlights.

Trucks started showing up in the early day, fancy expensive cars, Maserati’s and Ferrari’s  you know, the ones the guys drool over. It wasn’t until about midnight that the shooting began.

This particular scene was shot right below my hotel window at the Marriott west of 7th Avenue south of Central Park. One would think that a Hollywood set is exciting and bustling, but it’s apparent there is a lot of waiting. All day there were rumors that Nicolas Cage was going to appear, but the film staff said “No, these are scenes without Cage, he isn’t in NYC right now”. I’m sure it was to discourage gawkers and fans, but it didn’t work.

Fans and film buffs were in abundance taking pictures of anyone who looked important. I really wanted to see Jerry Bruckheimer , but I didn’t know what he looked like, so just snapped away. Below are some pictures from the shoot, a chase scene was being filmed down Broadway and rumor had it there was a curse on the film. There had already been two crashes where people were injured. Nicolas Cage was even reported to have hired a voodoo priestess to remove the curse, only in Hollywood.

Enjoy the pictures.

Nicolas Cage