Memorial Day

It was my privilege to photograph the annual Memorial Day observance in Hiram Village Ohio. The event began with a small parade that formed near the post office. The dignitaries and speakers marched to Fairview Cemetery along with a high school band, a couple of fire trucks and a police escort. Father Lee Martin offered an invocation. Damaris Pike sang the national anthem. Mayor Bertrand spoke. The featured speaker was Joe Benedict who was introduced by Magistrate Stephen Smith. Jack Groselle read Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Then the roll call of veterans buried in the local cemeteries was read aloud by a series of fellow veterans. Sadly the list seems to grow ever longer. Poppies were distributed to all veteran's graves. The sound of taps being played by a lone bugler fell eerily over the cemetery.

As always, I'm torn between trying to be respectful and take in the proceedings, but simultaneously trying to shoot a compelling visual record of the event. I usually fail at both at one point or another. I feel a deep sense of appreciation, both for the veterans that served our country, and also admiration for the relatively few people that turn out for this observance. The sense of community and small town atmosphere is overwhelming and I know it is shared by all of those in attendance. It's echoed repeatedly in the comments I hear as people linger in the cemetery after the event concludes. I'm always reluctant to depart as I don't want the magic to wear off as it inevitably must.