In Memoriam 2016

Hampton Virginia National Cemetery, Memorial Day 2016 (click to enlarge)
Fujifilm X-T1, 100-400mm lens @ 211mm; 1/340th sec. @ f/11; ISO 200

The last Monday of each May in the United States, we celebrate Memorial Day. Memorial Day is one of the days we set aside each year to remember and be thankful for those who served our country and died for the benefit of all of us who came after them and are able to enjoy the fruits of their service. Each of you have my sincere thanks.

My little way of honoring those men and women who died for our country is by making and displaying images on their behalf so we all can recognize many, far too many, have had to die.

Fujifilm X-T1, 100-400mm lens @ 400mm; 1/950th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200 (click to enlarge)

Fujifilm X-T1, 50-140mm lens @ 80.4mm; 1/1800th sec. @ f/2.8; ISO 200 (click to enlarge)

Fujifilm X-T1, 50-140mm lens @ 66mm; 1/2500th sec. @ f/2.8; ISO 200 (click to enlarge)

Fujifilm X-T1, 50-140mm lens @ 74.4mm; 1/2400th sec. @ f/2.8; ISO 200 (click to enlarge)

Fujifilm X-T1, 100-400mm lens @ 176.7mm; 1/250th sec. @ f/11; ISO 200 (click to enlarge)

These are just a few of the many images I made over the weekend at the Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia.  I arrived just after 7 a.m. when the site was empty of visitors, quiet and still.  As I slowly and respectfully moved around the graves, careful to not step on any graves, I couldn't help but be reverent and respectful in everything about my visit.

As I started to leave the cemetery, I stopped, looked around and consciously thought about all of those around me and how unselfish they were in giving their "last full measure" for their country so all of us here in the United States, both natives and immigrants alike, can enjoy the freedom to do and speak as we want as well as enjoy all those niceties that we generally take for granted.  Again, each of those who have died over the past 240 years have my eternal gratitude.

Memorial Day from History.com

"Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer.

It is unclear where exactly this tradition originated; numerous different communities may have independently initiated the memorial gatherings. Nevertheless, in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—was chosen because it hosted an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags."

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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