A journey back

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited November 12, 2009 in Journeys
About 39 years ago we looked like this
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I'm the young tadpole giving you his right profile
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after we had returned for a bit they gave us this wall
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and some nifty statues
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after running some Vietnam Vetran outreach offices in Harlem and the South Bronx for five years I stayed away from veteran groups for a long time. Every vet organization that recruited me wanted me to wear some silly hat. Anyhow they have this annual vets reunion down here and some folks asked me to take a few pics.

they have a traveling version of the wall
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some displays
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a bunch of groups lay wreaths at the wall
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various expressions are worn
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Whenever I'm at a party or some gathering I can usually pick out another Vietnam vet. We all have this "look".

he asked me not to show his missing arm
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some younger folks were there too

he had a really shiny axe
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who knows, if they're play their cards right, they might get their own wall too
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Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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Comments

  • Ann McRaeAnn McRae Registered Users Posts: 4,584 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2008
    bowdown.gif

    Powerful stuff, Harry.

    I was really struck, visiting DC and area, by the number of active military personel we saw. Heartbreaking, really.

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  • slpollettslpollett Registered Users Posts: 1,223 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2008
    Very moving collection. Nicely done.

    Sherry
    Visit my galleries at: http://psphotos.smugmug.com/ and/or http://pollettsquaredphotography.smugmug.com
  • TangoTango Registered Users Posts: 4,592 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2008
    Thank You Harry. very nice
    Aaron Nelson
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2008
    Ann McRae wrote:
    bowdown.gif

    Powerful stuff, Harry.

    I was really struck, visiting DC and area, by the number of active military personel we saw. Heartbreaking, really.

    Thanks Ann glad you appreciated it. Heart breakking yes, my son is slated to go back to Iraq/Afghanistan some time next year. :pissed
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2008
    slpollett wrote:
    Very moving collection. Nicely done.

    Sherry

    Thank you Sherry
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • DogdotsDogdots Registered Users Posts: 8,795 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2008
    Harry you did a wonderful job in your presentation of these photos.

    I could feel the emotion in some of your photos.

    Thank - you.
    Mary
    www.Dogdotsphotography.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 26, 2008
    AaronNelson wrote:
    Thank You Harry. very nice

    Thanks Aaron and you're welcome.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited April 26, 2008
    What faces! thumb.gif

    You did an outstanding job, Harry.

    I'm going to keep my thoughts on the underlying politics that cause these conflicts to myself.

    God bless each and everyone of those that served.

    Thirty-nine years and fifty pounds ago.

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    USS Saint Paul (heavy cruiser) Flag Ship of COMCRUDESFLOT-9.....Gulf of Tonkin.
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited April 26, 2008
    Geez Harry ya gotta grab at me like that

    See so many familar faces in your set

    Put many to rest, brought some back

    82nd Airborne 05H20 ASA (AssHoles Sign Anything) 69 - 71
    Didn't know where I was then and still don't.

    Benjamin
    Benjamin
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 27, 2008
    Dogdots wrote:
    Harry you did a wonderful job in your presentation of these photos.

    I could feel the emotion in some of your photos.

    Thank - you.

    Glad you enjoyed it.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • PantherPanther Registered Users Posts: 3,658 Major grins
    edited April 27, 2008
    Howdy Harry,

    Very powerful and moving images, Thanks for Sharing, an Thank You for your service. Sometimes we need a gentle nudge to make sure and remember all those that gave, are giving, and those and their families that gave all.

    Please make sure an give your Son our Best and we'll keep him in our thoughts and prayers, and please Thank Him for his Service to keep us Free and Safe.

    Kindest Regards,

    Craig
    Take care,

    Craig

    Burleson, Texas
  • nightspidynightspidy Registered Users Posts: 177 Major grins
    edited April 27, 2008
    Thank you for sharing
    These pictures were so moving. I love #13. Again, thank you for sharing these amazing photos.
    Canon 30D & REB XT (thinking of converting to infrared), Sigma 10-20mm, Tammy 17-50mm 2.8, Canon 24-70mm 2.8, 70-200mm 2.8 IS, Tokina 100mm 2.8 Macro, Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 1.4 ext, and Sigma 4.5 fish eye along with a Bogen by Gitzo Tripod, Manfrotto Ball Head, MacBook PRO, several HOYA filters and a 2GB & 8GB San Disk, 160GB Sanho storage device (really cool btw)......wishing for a Canon 100-400mm. :wink
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 27, 2008
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    What faces! thumb.gif

    You did an outstanding job, Harry.

    I'm going to keep my thoughts on the underlying politics that cause these conflicts to myself.

    God bless each and everyone of those that served.

    Thirty-nine years and fifty pounds ago.

    USS Saint Paul (heavy cruiser) Flag Ship of COMCRUDESFLOT-9.....Gulf of Tonkin.

    Thanks Ric and it was more pounds ago than years ago for me too.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 28, 2008
    bfjr wrote:
    Geez Harry ya gotta grab at me like that

    See so many familar faces in your set

    Put many to rest, brought some back

    82nd Airborne 05H20 ASA (AssHoles Sign Anything) 69 - 71
    Didn't know where I was then and still don't.

    Benjamin

    It does bring back memories Ben.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • davemj98davemj98 Registered Users Posts: 225 Major grins
    edited April 28, 2008
    Outstanding and powerful; it moved me.
    davidsdigitalphotography.com
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 29, 2008
    Panther wrote:
    Howdy Harry,

    Very powerful and moving images, Thanks for Sharing, an Thank You for your service. Sometimes we need a gentle nudge to make sure and remember all those that gave, are giving, and those and their families that gave all.

    Please make sure an give your Son our Best and we'll keep him in our thoughts and prayers, and please Thank Him for his Service to keep us Free and Safe.

    Kindest Regards,

    Craig

    Thanks Craig and I'll pass your good wishes onto my son.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • ChrisJChrisJ Registered Users Posts: 2,164 Major grins
    edited April 29, 2008
    It's something I can't imagine... and I really hope my sons won't need to defend our country some day. Thanks for the unique look.
    Chris
  • Lesley BrayLesley Bray Registered Users Posts: 143 Major grins
    edited April 29, 2008
    Very moving message - thank you
    http://lesleybray.smugmug.com/
  • joshhuntnmjoshhuntnm Registered Users Posts: 1,924 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2008
    Great shots. I really like the statues in the snow and the close ups.
    Josh
    Las Cruces Photographer / Las Cruces Wedding Photographer
    Other site
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2008
    nightspidy wrote:
    These pictures were so moving. I love #13. Again, thank you for sharing these amazing photos.

    Thank you very much for those kind words.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • WilliamClark77WilliamClark77 Registered Users Posts: 164 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2008
    Very powerful and moving stuff. Thanks for posting. This thread really put things in perspective. God bless and Godspeed to our vets!
    http://williamclark77.smugmug.com/
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2008
    davemj98 wrote:
    Outstanding and powerful; it moved me.

    That's one of the best complements I've gotten on my any of my pics, thanks.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2008
    ChrisJ wrote:
    It's something I can't imagine... and I really hope my sons won't need to defend our country some day. Thanks for the unique look.

    Thanks Chris and I hope that if we really examine our past experiences and stop glamorizing them it may prevent your sons from repeating our experiences.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 1, 2008
    HippiefromOz wrote:
    Very moving message - thank you

    Thanks for looking and taking the time to comment.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2008
    joshhuntnm wrote:
    Great shots. I really like the statues in the snow and the close ups.

    Thanks Josh the statue captures were with my old Sony-717
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • QarikQarik Registered Users Posts: 4,959 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2008
    compelling set. That guy in the wheelchair looks like vet from the revolutioanry war!
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  • leaforteleaforte Registered Users Posts: 1,948 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2008
    A nice aspect. Thanks for sharing.
    Growing with Dgrin



  • ipduffyipduffy Registered Users Posts: 29 Big grins
    edited May 2, 2008
    Thank you Harry
    Harry: Thank you for your service. And thank you, also, for your pictures. Very moving.
  • TPBinKCTPBinKC Registered Users Posts: 194 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2008
    Emotional photos, thank you for sharing Harry.

    The photo of the wall is beautiful and haunting...
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,948 moderator
    edited May 3, 2008
    The sight of that wall brings tears to my eyes every time.

    Your photograph with it's mostly black and white punctuated by a blue
    umbrella and red roses is a pretty powerful one.
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
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