Memorial Day Ceremony at Intrepid

When it comes to commemorating Memorial Day, nobody does it better than Intrepid.  With her long history and dedication to veterans and active duty alike, she serves as a gathering place on this important day.  This morning, the deck was full of military, active and retired, and supporters both youthful and elderly. 

 

 (Click on any photo to enlarge)

The crowd on the flight deck listened to the inspirational words of Intrepid President Susan Marenoff-Zausner, an invocation by Navy Commander Timothy Oswald, and remarks by Admiral John C. Harvey, Jr., U.S. Navy.

Mets Justin Turner, Mike Pelfrey, and Jason "Izzy" Isringhausen joined their General Manager Sandy Alderson on the flight deck.  Alderson participated in the wreath laying ceremony.

Singer/songwriter Joe Brucato sang his heartfelt song "Thank You Soldier".  Hear it below.

The highlight of the ceremony was unfurling of a 100' flag, held on all four sides by active military and veterans.  Eric and his assistant Kevin took their places on the hem of the flag.

2 Hornets and 2 Super Hornets flew overhead after the flag was unfurled.

A day like this makes one feel so proud to be American, and very grateful to the men and woman who sacrifice so much for our freedom.  Thank you Intrepid for all you do!  Click here for Proof Positive Photography website.

Portraits of Flight aviation art gallery opening at Intrepid

In celebration of 100 years of American Naval Aviation, my husband Eric, Curator of Aviation and Aircraft Restoration, and his support team at Intrepid, opened the first fine art show at the Museum yesterday.  With his passion for aircraft and for art, and as a 20-year Air Force veteran, Eric was especially pleased to have arranged for the exhibit. (Click on any photo to enlarge).

The exhibit features paintings by members of the American Society of Aviation Artists, a worldwide organization whose goal is to "affirm standards of professionalism, authenticity and artistic quality in aerospace art".

Eric with aviation artist and author Andrew Whyte with his book "How to Draw and Paint Aircraft Like a Pro".  Mr. Whyte signed the copy of the book to Eric.

Rear Admiral Ted Branch, Intrepid CFO Pat Beene, Intrepid President Susan Marenoff-Zausner, artist and President of ASAA Keith Ferris, Curator of Aviation Eric Boehm, Intrepid Executive Vice President Dave Winters

Full house at the gallery opening

The new exhibit, which is located upstairs from the gift shop near the front of the Museum, will run until September 5th and is free with admission.  For more on the exhibit from Intrepid's website, click here.

For more Intrepid events, see gallery at Proof Positive Photography.

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SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

NAVY LEAGUE ADOPTION CEREMONY ABOARD THE USS NEW YORK

Directly after the gallery opening, Eric and I headed down to Staten Island to attend and photograph the Adoption Ceremony of the majestic USS New York by the Navy League and the September 11th Families' Association.

The hull of the USS New York is made of steel from the fallen World Trade Center towers.  Dozens of family members of 9/11 victims were in attendance along with a host of Navy Leaguers.

Commanding Officer of the USS New York William Hermann, USN accepting adoption plaque from Navy League New York Council President J. Robert Lunney

RDML Robert Ravitz, who was a firefighter on 9/11 and lost a son that day, also a firefighter, presenting a plaque to Commander Hermann for the Adoption of the USS New York by the September 11th Families' Association.  Jennifer Adams, President of the Association, who lost her boyfriend that day, looks on.

"God rays" pouring down on the bow of the ship for the touching ceremony.

Click here for Proof Positive Photography website.

Navy League's Reception for Commanding Officers

Friday night, as part of Fleet Week, the Navy League hosted a special reception for Commanding and Executive Officers at the presigious New York Athletic Club.  Over 300 military, their spouses and invited guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and music.  A wonderful event!

President of the Navy League New York Council Bob Lunney

Each Commanding Officer entered the room as his ship's name was announced

Some of the many Commanding Officers at the front of the hall

 More Fleet Week and Memorial Day events to come ..

Stay tuned. 

Click here for Proof Positive Photography website.

Eddie Money supports Intrepid Fallen Heroes Foundation, visited Intrepid today

Dave Winters on the flight deck with Eddie Money

Rocker Eddie Money has written a song "One More Soldier Coming Home" (Hear it here on Eddie's website) and he's generously donating the proceeds from downloads to benefit the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Foundation.  He visited Intrepid today for a meeting with IFHF President Dave Winters.

My husband Eric, Curator of Aviation and Aircraft Restoration, showing Eddie a painting of a Kamikaze hit on Intrepid

Eric showing Eddie the interior of his Italian aircraft,
the Aermacchi MB-339A

In addition to being a great musician who is dedicated to our veterans, Eddie is a very personable, fun-loving man.  We all enjoyed being in his company this afternoon.

Visit my "Musicians Gallery" on my website .. ProofPositivePhoto.com

Restored Cougar from Wall Township rolled out at Intrepid Museum

After 2 years and over 2,500 hours of volunteer work plus 2,000 hours of work by my husband Eric and his assistant, Kevin Banat, the F9F Cougar was rolled out in her debut this morning.  After a full week of rain, the sun came out to give her a warm welcome as she took her place among the other 30-or-so aircraft on the flight deck of Intrepid.

Photo credit: Eric Boehm

 The restored aircraft wears the colors of fighter squadron VF-61, which flew from Intrepid in 1956.

The Cougar spent its retirement from active service in "Airplane Park" in Wall Township in Monmouth County, NJ.  On hand for the unveiling were around 30 Wall citizens who played on the aircraft when they were children.

 

It was a proud day for the Aircraft Restoration Team .. 

The Aircraft Restoration Team:  Volunteers PJ Aronica, Dina Ingersole, Nick Zilocchi, Aircraft Restoration Specialist Kevin Banat, my husband Curator of Aviation and Aircraft Restoration Eric Boehm, volunteer Pete Cea, with Intrepid President Susan Marenoff-Zausner

Following the roll-out, Eric did media interviews.  All of the NYC stations were there.  My hero!

To view 40 photographs of the event, please visit my website, Proof Positive Photography.  Click into the site, then go to "Online ordering", then to "Client events" and enter the secret password "cougar".  Photos will be posted for viewing until June 20.  (Email me after that).

And here's a video of the roll-out from NY1 which features Wall Township Committeeman Clint Hoffman and Eric!

For more on the Cougar, visit the Intrepid's website!

Oprah Winfrey at Intrepid last May

Since Oprah Winfrey is wrapping up 25 years of the Oprah Show, I'm re-posting my photo taken of her at her "Life Your Best Life" event at the Intepid Sea, Air and Space Museum on May 9, 2010.

Click here to see the original blog posting with more photos of Oprah and her TV celebrity team who gathered for the event. (This link also links back to the related article on Intrepid's website.)

Find more celebrity photographs at Proof Positive Photography.

Girl Scouts honored with Gold Awards

Last night, I had the pleasure of photographing the Girl Scouts of Troops 250 and 1068 of Glen Rock.  Eleven of the young ladies earned their Gold Award, the highest award, earned by only 5% of Girl Scouts nationwide.

The girls individually performed such notable community services as educating teens about the importance of the resources of the local library, to staging a performance which paired special needs students with high school theater students.  They also arranged toy collections, purchased an instrument for an inner city school music program, and entertained seniors at a nursing home. 

The girls were given recognition not only by the full audience in attendance, but by the Mayor, the County Freeholder, the Commander of the local VFW, and a Glen Rock Police Officer.  Letters of commendation from other dignitaries were read to the girls and a tree was planted in their honor.

The full story and 47 more photos of the Girl Scouts are posted on Glen Rock Patch.com .. Click here. 
Click here for Proof Positive Photography website.

Patricia Polacco book signing in Glen Rock

Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of photographing prolific childrens' book author Patricia Polacco at Books, Bytes and Beyond for Young People in Glen Rock.  She was very well received by a packed audience of youngsters and their parents.

 
Despite learning disabilities which prevented her from learning how to read until she was 14 years old, Ms. Polacco has written 27 childrens' books, starting with her first one at age 41.  She also illustrates each book, creating drawings that are at least 25% larger than what appears on the page.

For this tour, she is promoting her latest, "Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln" which tells the story of two young boys playing with video games who discover themselves tranported through time to the battle fields of the Civil War where they meet famed photographer Matthew Brady.

Ms. Polacco is an Abraham Lincoln scholar who lives on a farm in Michigan which was visited by Lincoln during his ascent to the presidency.  She is a distant relative of Clara Barton.

 

During any photo shoot, sometimes the sweetest shots are those taken away from the action.  These young girls were happily reading by themselves on the floor of the book store, their stuffed toys beside them.  

All photos taken simply with my Nikon D300s and Nikkor 80-200mm lens with on-camera flash.

Click here to see more photos posted on Glen Rock Patch.com.  Click here for Proof Positive Photography website.