April 15, 2011

Patriotism, honor and humanity

Posted in Uncategorized at 2:56 am by AngelEyesPhoto

Last night around 9:30 I received an email from a client/friend (thank you Noora), regarding a fallen Woodstock soldier who would be returning home today.  THis particular soldier was a mere babe.  While it shouldn’t matter the age when it comes to the loss of a life, the younger they are the more heart wrenching it seems, b/c they didn’t get a chance at life.  This boy was 20 years old and died fighting for our freedom.  This hits particularly close to home for me, as we are creeping up on the 9th anniversary of my cousin’s death, and she was also 20.  The city of Woodstock requested that the citizens lined the streets in honor of our fallen soldier Spc. Gary Lee Nelson III.  Considering the short notice I think a large amount of the community showed up and did just that.  At the first street closing attempt the tears began for me.  A little while later, the streets were finally closed, and all were standing ready with their flags.  The motorcade came round the turn, and the Woodstock police motorcycles were first.  Following them were police cars, and the Patriot guard riders (I had the opportunity to speak with and photograph these rides, but will get to that later), then the hearse, the limo carrying the family who I would imagine was all but shattered.  There were additional family members and friends, as well as more PG riders.  The streets went silent immediately upon the first motorcycle cresting the turn.  It was truly and amazing sight. 

When he had passed and was safely at his destination, the crowd dispersed and headed home.  We decided to have some lunch, and at the table next to us were the Patriot Guard Riders (www.PatriotGuardRiders.org).  unbeknownst to one of them, I had snuck a shot of him and his rockin’ bike through the window.  I finally decided I would ask them if they would do me the honor of posing for a portrait (not my best work, but I’m hoping for a redo).  They were obliged, and what a super great group.  I’m looking forward to working with them in the future.  One of the riders informed me at 6:00 they would be doing a flag line.  So I planned to come back out to round out the images I had taken and make a dvd for the family.  The girls and I got there, and much to my dismay the flag line was going into the funeral home.  We were not dressed, and had not intended on going in.  I felt horrible taking pictures outside of the funeral home, and in the back of my mind waited for someone to scream at me to get out and stop disrespecting the dead.  I have never felt like a paparazzi before today.  No one did, and the funeral home worker encouraged us to go in, and not be concerned about our dress.  Upon completion of the images, we did in fact go in, just to drop off a card.  Before I knew it I was standing in the way of a marine (who just stood perfectly posed behind me and spoke not a word) and a lady pulled me out-of-the-way.  This only enraged the already out-of-place feeling I had standing there in my hot pink shirt, jeans and tennis shoes, and camera bag on my back, with the girls with their dirty flags out of our yard.  As I moved out-of-the-way and apologized, I realized the room we were blocking was where he lay.  This was very upsetting to me, and I began to cry.  I apologized again, and the woman said “honey it’s ok, I’m grandma Sherry.”  I could have died.  I think I may have told her my name, but distinctly remember the words I didn’t know him coming out of my mouth through the tears.   Alexis asked me why I was crying and a look of first shock and then heartfelt gratitude crossed over grandmas face.  She hugged me so tight I could hardly breathe, and then said you have to come meet his mama.  I had no intention of going into the viewing room for many reasons.  Before I knew it we was standing in front of his mother a few feet away from the casket.  There he lay…draped with the flag.  I don’t remember much of our conversation, but I did speak with his mother, who was so sweet.  I told her I was planning on giving her a dvd showing the community support I had witnessed today, and she began to cry.  As we were finishing our chat, Alexis asked to see him.  She had been asking me questions on the way about what we look like when we die, and how it all works.  At that point there really wasn’t any turning back, so I allowed her to go and see.  Much to my surprise her only comment was “he has brown hair.”  As we made our way out of the funeral home and back to the car, all I could think of was the group that would be present tomorrow protesting his funeral.  It breaks my heart to thin that this grieving family will have to listen to such non-sense in the background on such an already horrible day.  I don’t know who these people are but dearly hope every one of their cars breaks down on the way here from Tx.  Even if you’re not supporter of the war, or the military, or gays or, whatever the bottom line is a person has left this earth.  let the family grieve in peace.  I don’t know how we’ve become so jaded that these things are allowed.  I know we have freedom of speech and that is great, but they should not be allowed there.  If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say it at all right?  Or how about the golden rule.  I attended a photography seminar last month, and the guy said “do you want to know the secret to being a better photograhper…..BE A BETTER PERSON!”  Yep, it’s really that simple.

God bless us all, and many thanks to all of those serving in any way for our freedom, and our safety.

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