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Showing posts with label USMC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USMC. Show all posts

Monday, May 27, 2013

2013 Rolling Thunder Part IV of IV-- USMC Staff Sergeant Tim Chambers, "The Saluting Marine"


Since spontaneously standing at attention and saluting bikes during the 2002 Rolling Thunder rally, USMC Staff Sergeant  (now retired) Tim Chambers has returned each year to pay tribute to the hundreds of thousands of  bikers who are, in turn, paying tribute to the nations fallen soldiers. 

Before the arrival of the bikes, civilians would approach Sgt. Chambers to thank him for his service or pass a few words of encouragement for what he does each year. 
Waiting for the bikes. 

An old vet thanks Sgt. Chambers.

Once, during an interview, when asked "Why the salute?" He replied "It's about the pain. A lot of these heroic guys still hurt and if I can relieve their pain for just one brief moment, then I've done my job."


Many bikers returned the salute.  I have each year I've ridden and each time it gives me chills.

I didn't realize the significance of this and the next two photos until later.  In this one, the father, a Vet himself, returns Sgt. Chambers salute...
As he lowers his salute, something great happens, his young son on the back of the bike, begins his own salute.
In completing his salute, he is honoring not only Sgt. Chambers, but his father and all who have served in one action!




As Sgt. Chambers held his salute to the passing bikes, a small group approached from his right.  They raised their hands and returned his salute.....
Then as they stood at attention, saluting an American Hero, a bugle player began a haunting rendition of Taps....
More on Staff Sgt. Tim Chambers, "The Saluting Marine" can be found here: http://www.thesalutingmarine.com/




Sunday, April 28, 2013

Think you know Quantico? The Quantico you don't know....


When most people hear 'Quantico', they will immediately think of the Marine Corps, or the FBI, or even "Q Town," home to 500 or so active duty Marines and civilians. The word 'Quantico' comes from an Indian word meaning, “By the large stream,” which of course, is the Potomac River. I tried to capture the essence of the river in these shots, and with one notable exception, I stayed away from any shots indicating there is even a military base along it's banks.

Much of the shoreline is inaccessible, but some areas are open and provide great exploring.
Looking toward Quantico Municipal Park.
The pier in Quantico Municipal Park.
Although in the middle of a Marine Base, Q Town has a great 'small-town' feel  and once there, it's easy to forget where you are, except there are a lot of barber shops!!!!! 




This Oak is called The Wisdom Tree and  is several hundred years old.
This is the exception to military photos I mentioned.  This sign marked a trail down to a  handicapped-accessible duck blind (next shot) on the shore.  Kudos to Ducks Unlimited and the USMC for little extras like this. 
The blind even has a little ramp for dogs (or maybe they hope the ducks will just walk up in there...).

I always find it interesting to find seashells along riverbanks.  The Potomac feeds into the Chesapeake, then the Atlantic Ocean,  with salinity levels increasing the closer it gets to the sea.  According to the National Academy of Sciences, the salinity in this part of the Potomac is up to .5 ppt,

Young Osprey or "Sea Eagle".  We did see a Bald Eagle and I got some shots, but he was pretty far away. 
Freshly beaver-chewed tree along the banks of the Chopawamsic River, which feeds into the Potomac. 
Chopawamsic looking toward the Potomac.

This really is just the tip of the iceberg of things to see and do in the Quantico area.  There are many more trails I hope to follow to see what I find...