CARRIE DEVORAH > THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEKTHE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL The 17 year cicadas put in an appearance the week the WWII Memorial was dedicated to those left from Brokaw's Greatest Generation. They fought for God and Country, yet the designer chose to ignore their passion entombed in the words So Help Me God...
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK The Retired Vet Recalling His Injuries As A Youth I noticed him standing with one of DC's Pandamanias outside the Hinckley Hilton. Then he saw my cameras and noticed my credentials. He lifted his shirt, showed his arm. I saw the scarred vet who grew into a teacher, a preacher, a man before his time.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK Vets Around Town Vets and their spouses descended on DC for their moment in the spotlight, their long awaited Memorial for service to Country and God. Having been willing to die for their fellow citizen, they were now willing to celebrate for their fallen.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL WEEK DEDICATION Arlington Cemetery There are vets who could not attend the ceremonies down at the Mall. They received their Memorial over 60 years ago. They are the men and women the brass stars will stand time for as do their grave markers in Arlington where few go to lay tribute...
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK Big Bands They came, they saw, they swung to the tunes of big band music they listened to while far away from home...
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK Motor Pool Dont ask me where they got them but military vehicle buffs came in all shapes and sizes and costume as did their transportations delighting visitors to the Mall and to the WWII Memorial Day Parade the following Monday.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK Rolling Thunder Rolling Thunder is an annual DC event. Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts cross the bridge into DC near the Vietnam Memorial. The day is filled with music and partying. This year it was filled with WWII vets some struggling for the Rolling hand slap.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK The Monday Parade The parade was a long time coming in DC. The greatest generation hit its mark, so to speak, with a parade up the avenue. Elders marched in step albeit slow, their hats in place, their hearts were heavy, mourning those who did not come home with them...
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK The USO Toes tapped as soon as they hit the green of the Mall to the sound of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and his swing kids pulling visitors onto the grass to swing until the sun came down in the shadow of the America's Capitol building.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK After the Ceremony They were in no rush to leave after the ceremony was done. Vets, wives and patriots meandered over to their mark on the Mall staying till all hours of the next day. To many, it would be their last hurrah. To others it would be reunions preserved in photo
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION Walk To The Ceremony They came in all shapes and sizes. Two by two and by the busload, from all over the world and country to be present at their day in DC's historic glory. Mickey told of his battle to join the fight, fingers at all, age 19. Medal in hand. Auschwitz.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK The Dedication Itself All systems go, it was, that day. Volunteers, enforcement, security at all gates into the Washington Monument lawn facing the WWII Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Free at last, yes. The vets cried openly, freely and for those gone yet remembered.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK The Message Posting Tent Vets communicated with each other the old fashioned way they did during war time, by passing notes. This time, notes were posted inside the Reunion Tent assisted by Rosie the Riveter and Flying Aces.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK The Code Talkers They returned to their tribes with little said about their deed. They won the war for America. Speaking in their native tongue they eluded the enemies search for details on Military's moves. Aho....
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK The Women They were there. At the Mall. Fewer than the men. But they were there.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK The Young Marines They are everywhere patriotic events are held and then some. The Young Marines are passionate about God and Country and service to fellow man. T Brewer age 12 knew Chaplaincy in the Military is his calling. At the Oral project, he gave 2nd life to vets.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK Tuskegee Airmen So famous they even have their own GI Joe collectible doll, fans of the Tuskegee airmen waited on line to meet their heroes. One young man who survived nearly dying came driven by his parents. And then there was the pic of Judy, the dog who flew with them
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK Veterans History Project THE BROTHERS Lou and Irv came from different parts of the country to participate in WWII Memorial Week on the Mall. Lou lives in Temeculah. Irv from Connecticut got to the Mall himself. The Young Marines brought Lou. Sometimes brothers remain brothers, even when aged.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL WEEK DEDICATION Veterans History Project The Hispanic Vets They were the quietest of veterans. A simple nobility to their presence on the stage. They spoke with a culture steeped in passion. They spoke with a passion steeped in patriotism.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL WEEK Veterans History Project POLITICIANS USO and MORE The week on the Mall was concentrated around the Library of Congress's Veteran History Project seeking stories of 80 year old boys turned men at age 19. Famous or not, veterans came and shared their stories of heroism simplified, they lived to tell.
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION WEEK The Veterans Story Telling Tent They were all brothers because of the experience they shared. Though loved ones were lost and gone and missed, they were not alone. A band of brothers.... together for what may be their last hurrah.
