Summer Days

Best of last week

I get the opportunity to work with three other incredible photographers at Monroe News, and we do a slide show each week called "Best of last week" showcasing our work. Ill post the link below, check it out.

http://www.monroepublishing.com/multimedia/test/MEN2.html

Happy Memorial Day

Memorial day is finally over and since Ive been one of the only photographers working the last few days, i have shot every memorial day assignment that has come through the desk. There is a strong sense of patriotism here, every surrounding town has a ceremony to remember the fallen soldiers, and it is no light matter. Growing up, i always looked forward to memorial day as nothing more than an extra day off school. I never realized what it can mean to some people, perhaps because it never meant to me what it means to some. I attended the ceremonies over the last few days, and hear countless times the phrase, "we remember." And there is no better reminder of how war has affected people than hearing the people behind you begin to cry because they have lost a loved one. Some as recent as only a few months ago. To me it has always been a trip to the lake or a day to sleep in, but to some it is the one day that they can let their emotions go along side others who feel their pain. Here are a few that i shot from the final day. The first picture is from a memorial service, and the rest are form the Memorial Day parade.

Firefighter sheds a tear as names of fallen firefighters are being read aloud.

Planes doing a flyover at the end of the parade.

Two guys try to attach a flag to a store front for about an hour before the parade.

Specators watch as planes fly over the bridge at the end of the parade.

"War on Terror" memorial

I photographed a memorial service to honor two more soldiers that died in Iraq. Their friends and family were there, and it got pretty emotional. I think the most powerful part was seeing the soldier's daughter, who was too young to understand, laughing and playing as they read out her fathers name as one of the fallen.

The Mother and family friend of one of the two recently fallen soldiers that were honored at the service.

Wife, sister, and mother of one of the two fallen soldiers honored at the service.

Daughter of one of the two fallen soldiers.

The mother and the daughter of one of the fallen soldiers honored at the service.

More members of the soldiers family.

The Abate of Michigan motorcycle club came to show their support. .

Flags for First Graders

Todays assignment was to photograph a man from the local Voiture 1153 40 and 8 (basically like the Masons, or Shriners) went to first grade classrooms to talk about the American flag and how to salute, fold and respect it. And of course the importance of patriotism. I guess its never too early.

"Only bad men burn the flag."
- Dick Hanes

Hippotherapy

I started my first multimedia piece yesterday about a program that uses the horses to help kids with physical and mental disabilities. The program is called Hippotherapy. was able to meet with Kyle and follow him through his therapy. He suffers from Cerebral Palsy, and is unable to walk. The movement in the horse is very similar the the movement that Kyle's muscles would follow if he were able to walk. The stopping and starting of the horse and the shifting that Kyle does while he is on the horse allows his pelvis to move in ways it would not normally be able to in his wheelchair. Ultimately strengthening and loosening his muscles and bringing him closer to walking. Here are a couple of pictures from my first time with the Hippotherapy program.

Museum Exhibit

My assignment today was to photograph the installation of a museum exhibit honoring Monroe" involvement in the Indy 500. At least it wasn't NASCAR.

These are they two guys organizing the exhibit.

Poor victims of a benefit fishing tournament.

Laura Serpetti recently lobbied congress to pass a bill that would give financial aid to people with mental health conditions, such as eating disorders. Currently Michigan only acknowledges those with physical problems.

Saturday May 19th: High School Regional Track