Both my parents were WWII veterans and I have always been grateful for their service and sacrifice. I always think about them on Memorial Day, but this year was special because we were also the 75thanniversary of D Day.
I think it is hard to fully grasp the peril that the world faced in 1944 unless you grew up during that time. You can read about it, but the best way is to communicate with those who lived it. And while America has endured many conflicts since the end of WWII, nothing can compare that conflict in terms of total horror and number of casualties. Over 400,000 Americans lost their lives during WWII. Then there was the mass amount of casualties our allies suffered. All so tyranny could be defeated and we could maintain the freedoms we take for granted today. But what about today? There are storm clouds on the horizon … neo-Nazi groups, white supremacists, growing racism and anti semitism at home and abroad, and ultra nationalism spreading across Europe like a disease.
Those Americans that fought in WWII so that their children and grandchildren could have the kind of lives that they could only dream of are passing away at a rate of 372 per day. That is why the recent 75th anniversary of D Day and events surrounding it like Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s 29th Anniversary WWII weekend are so important! They help us remember, to imagine, and teach those who are not familiar.
I decided that one of the ways I could become more immersed in the anniversary was to take the drive to Reading, Pennsylvania and check out what the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s 29th Anniversary WWII weekend was all about … and of course make some photographs. After all, the Reading Regional Airport was only about an hour and a half from where I live, so it would easily fit within my self imposed Two Hour photography plan I have been operating under and have previously written about.
There were tons of vintage WWII aircraft on the ground and flying overhead. My father-in-law was a B-17 jockey and would have felt right at home! Then there were the hundreds of WWII era re-enactors milling around in uniform or civvies, not to mention important world leaders giving rousing speeches. And there were bands playing the great popular music of the 1940s. Of course there was a lot of food. So far so good!
My hope was that I would see some WWII veterans and make some photographs of them. I did see a few and thanked them for there service, but they were in a very crowded area inside one of the air hangers. So I didn’t have much luck in terms of the type pictures I was hoping for but seeing them was worth far more.
Now what? No problem. Look for other opportunities! They’re always there if you are open to the possibilities and I had a lot of fun finding them. In the end I got a few keepers I’m happy with and I have now started printing them. But most of all I was able to be part of a truly wonderful event. It reminded me of how great the “greatest generation” really was and what they fought for to protect.
It really was a different time.
Thank you for your service!