Arlington Cemetery, the Bitter and the Sweet

Photographing a funeral is never easy; it is like walking on eggs. You want to make a record of the event but you do not want to intrude. It is even a greater challenge when you know the deceased well, like 12 years, as part of your work family. When the survivors tell 100 mourners no photographs, except mine, you try your best, your very best.

Full military honors are a beautiful ceremony; I agonize if I want this as a final tribute for 24 years, 4 months and 11 days of service. Besides the burial team, bugler playing taps,and firing squad, there is a band, a marching platoon, and the colors. All in all, there are a lot of people involved and it is a ceremony that has no mistakes allowed or tolerated.

The weather cooperated, the sun was out after a day of rain, the mud won, and the tears flowed, as should be. Don’s minister was eloquent, the bugler crisp, the final volley jarring as it always is, and a grateful nation paid final respects to one of it sons.