It was often working my nine to five that I think about my experiences and what I've done. The best stories you'll hear are those around a campfire. I'm left, realizing my life has been less adventurous than I'd like. It has been a mundane task of punching the clock, and with the rare weekend I have to camp, I only have a little to say around the campfire. I listen to others speak about great tales of adventures, hardships, and the trials of life, and I can't help but realize I've had a few of those moments. It's been a recurring thought of mine. I met Len Rue, Jr. while up at Hawk Mountain today. We spoke briefly, yet that moment was so impactful, and it brought me back to that thought—Pursue your passion and gather those adventures. There’s no time like the present, do it while your mind and body can. As I’m learning more and more about restrictions on our lands and there ever changing conditions.
Hawk Mountain is a place I often find myself pondering life's questions. It could be the silence on the mountain, the disconnect from our modern amenities, or just how small we feel while on the summit. Today, I left the mountain speechless, awestruck, and more convinced about life's "odd" occurrences and how everything seems to be happening for a reason. We're in this moment and time, because we're supposed to be. Yet, often, we shelter ourselves, but when you open up, you'll usually find that the answers have always been right in front of you. You just have to let them in. I can't help but feel as if Leonard Rue III was watching over us on the mountain today. His legacy left a permanent mark on me today as I'm trying to pursue a similar path. It was a reminder to remember the ones who came before us, the trailblazers who blazed the trails and made their path. Their stories and journeys hold valuable lessons. If you’re unaware of his legacy I encourage you to click the link below. As I’m certain you’ll have a similar feeling I had afterwards.
https://owaa.org/owaa-legends/living-legend-leonard-lee-rue-iii/
Revisiting the Twin Towers
Although I didn’t have a chance to visit New York this year for the twenty-third anniversary of 9-11, I have had the opportunity to collect and archive images of the towers, the temporary memorial for Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, which was a chain link fence on a hillside just 500 yards from the crash site, along with more harrowing photos from ground zero. I anticipate making it out to the Memorial for the twenty-fifth anniversary; however, until then, I’d like to share some of my archived photos.
Sadly these historic/iconic images are being lost with the passing of time and to me its really troubling. These photos both tell a story and, at the time, were a memory to someone. That’s why collecting and preserving pictures such as this is imperative. Scanning and have that image digitized to protect it from further degradation. I was fortunate to have gotten them from an estate sale, yet I hate to have known their fate if I hadn’t. Having the technology along with the passion of sharing these photos. If you’d like to learn more about that process you can visit my revitalizing negatives page here. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have forgotten images of significant history, as I would like to share their stories here.
Twenty years later
Series of six photos stitched together to create the panorama of the New York Skyline on 9/11/21. Illuminated by the “tribute of light’ which is only from dusk til dawn on that night.
What more can anyone say on the topic? It’s probably the most covered tragedy. Unsure of what to say as not to bring up past heartaches. Yet I'll share my story. I was just nine years old, a young naïve kid unaware of the horrors and terrors that were happening just a state above me. They did not speak on terrorism and footage of the war wasn’t on the nightly news. It was simpler times, a time when everyone stood unified, which all seems but lost anymore. The twentieth anniversary of 9/11 brought everyone together. People from all walks of life to pay respect to those who we lost on that fateful day and reflect on what that day means and how much it’s affected the world since. There were so many American flags flying over highways and on storefronts, people were proud of their country. Free of division. So that was my purpose, to pay respect. And although I didn’t know him, I wanted to honor Donald LaRoy Adams. I became aware of his story through a friend from work and wanted to visit on his behalf. It also showed me how close to home this attack hits as well, Adams having lived in Vineland. What I can’t describe is the happenstance of my journey finding his name etched along the wall. The memorial opened to the public at 3. The memorial itself is massive. Located on eight acres of the 16-acre World Trade Center complex, taking up the space of the original foundation of the Twin Towers. Everyone kind of got in line to have a moment at the memorial. I fit in where I could and respectfully waited my turn. The people in front stepping to the side to allow those behind them a moment to view the reflecting pools. Like a plink o chip, I made my way closer to the memorial wall until I could see the names etched in the wall over the bystanders' shoulders. To my disbelief, Donald LaRoy Adams' name was right in front of us, almost as if we were guided there. I took a moment to step back to view the One World Trade Center, the museum they built, as well as the grounds. It was filled with life. They did not forget September 11th, 2001 No, if anything we’ve come back stronger. September 12th, 2001 brought amazing unity, all of America was united, and in a time when all unity seems lost, it’s good seeing that moment of unity again.
The following morning September 12th, 2021 I visited the Garden of Reflection. Located in Pennsylvania the memorial grounds were a lot more quieter than that of the memorial at NYC, which really gave me a moment to reflect and think about the totality of the day.
In memoriam of Donald LaRoy Adams.
Annual World War two re-enactment out to Schaefferstown, PA. Organized by East Penn Re-enactors Group, the day portrayed Operation Cobra. The attack was a combined arms attack on German forces which allowed Allied forces to break out of the Norman hedgerow country and eventually lead to the liberation of Paris. The re-enactors did an amazing job both with the battle along with their passion, both of weapon and time period. What I wasn’t expecting was two World War II veterans there. Maybe it was my lack of knowledge, not knowing what to say, or honestly being afraid to make that commitment. But I regret not talking with them and doing an impromptu interview. What makes I guess “street photography” so intimidating? What is it about going up to someone you don’t know and asking for a photo that makes us afraid to do it? If you don’t have this problem, what’s your secret? Is it just your confidence, your previous experiences from doing it? Because after the event I left with regret. I should have done this and I should have done that. I could have gotten an accurate portrait and told their story. Regardless we learn and grow; however, from this experience, I won’t let another photo story pass me by as I’m actively searching for my next photo story.
What inspired photo stories
A photo story from Washington D.C
District of Columbia’s annual Police Week. Where in 2019 three-hundred and seventy-one names were etched forever into the memorial wall. It is a somber occasion, a week-long tribute to those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice after answering the call to duty. Lit candles illuminate the air held by survivors, those who have been affected by line-of-duty death. Battalion orders echo in the dark and there isn’t a dry eye as they read individually each name. A bell tolls. There’s comfort in the night though, as everyone’s gathered for the same purpose. To honor and remember the fallen. My personal condolences to the family of Hiles, Parlow, Reeves, and Baker.
