America's Response Monument dedicated near WTC

Heavy rain dominated the weather today which was very fitting for the dedication of the America's Response monument at its new home outdoors at the foot of the Freedom Tower at the side of the World Trade Center.  The statue, created by sculptor Dowe Blumberg, is an homage to the brave U.S. Special Forces units who rode into the rugged mountains of Afghanistan on horseback in search of the Taliban, shortly after 9/11.

Bill White, President and CEO of Constellations Group, served as master of ceremonies with members of the U.S. Special Forces Unit, NY Police and Fire in attendance.
Here are some of the images of the day .. (Click on any photo to enlarge).

 Members of the elite Special Forces Unit in front of the drape prior to the unveiling of the Monument.

 Sculptor Dowe Blumberg talking about his inspiration for the statue, saying he was "humbled to use" his "God-given talent" to create this lasting memorial.

 Constellations Group President Bill White at the podium, a long-time supporter of our Troops.

 Lt. Gen. John Mulholland, Commander of Special Operations Command.

 One of three wreaths which were placed at the foot of the statue during the dedication ceremony.

The Special Forces pose in front of their statue, placed in the center of walkways where thousands of workers pass each day.

For more about the sculptor and the process of creating this sculpture, please click here to see YouTube video ..   And for the Wikipedia entry with more info .. Click here.
To view my website, click here .. and to become a fan of my FaceBook page, please visit here.  Thank you!

Vice President Biden at the Unveiling of Horse Soldiers Monument on Veterans Day in NYC

Friday evening, I had the distinct honor of being asked to photograph the unveiling of the America's Response Memorial.  It is an 18' high statue created by artist Douwe Blumberg to honor the U.S. Special Forces teams which rode into Afghanistan on horseback to fight the Taliban.  (Click on any image to enlarge).

Bill White, Master of Ceremonies and Chairman and CEO of Constellations Group, is shown with several of the benefactors for the impressive monument which now stands in the lobby of Two World Financial Center, directly across the street from the World Trade Center Memorial.  The lobby where the ceremony took place was heavily damaged in the attacks on 9-11.

A 50' high flag which flew at the WTC the day of the attack was carefully unfurled and hoisted toward the ceiling by dozens of first responders, many of whom lost loved ones.

U.S. Marine Cpl, Aaron Mankin, an Iraq veteran and wounded warrior, with his mother.  Eric first met Aaron a few years ago on Intrepid and I met him two years ago when Prince Harry visited Intrepid. We've seen his transformation as he's endured over 50 surgeries since he was wounded in in Syria. Aaron is a true inspiration, and a warm and caring man.  His mother told me that he is scheduled for yet another surgery next week.

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, are welcomed into the Hall by warm applause. They were joined in the front row by various NYC dignitaries including Police Commissioner Ray Kelly who was recognized by the Vice President.

Behind the Vice President are the Horse Soldiers, the members of U.S. Special Forces Teams who rode into Afghanistan on horseback and for whom the monument is dedicated. The Vice President spoke at length about the patriotism of this country and the ongoing efforts to preserve freedom.

For more information about the monument and the artist who created it, Douwe Blumberg, please click here.

This shoot produced over 300 images .. This is just a handful of memories from a once-in-a-lifetime evening.  It was a real honor to be in the company of our brave soldiers and our Vice President.

For more event photos, please click here for Proof Positive Photography website .. and find us on FaceBook here.

Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Opening Ceremonies at Intrepid

This morning I had the honor of shooting the Opening Ceremony for the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall at the Intrepid.  The Wall will remain open, free of charge, 24 hours a day, every day until November 20. It is a three-quarter scale model of the original wall in Washington D.C. (Click on any photo for a closer look).

The Nam Nights and the Intrepid Former Crew Members at the Opening Ceremony.

Intrepid Former Crew Members saluting the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall.

A highlight of the ceremony was a performance of "One More Soldier Coming Home" by rocker Eddie Money, whom Eric and I now consider a friend.

Eddie and his wife Laurie during the solemn part of the Ceremony.  He is generously donating 100% of the proceeds of his song, "One More Soldier Coming Home" to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.  Please visit Eddie's website, hear the song, and consider a contribution, $0.99 to support our soldiers! Click here for the link. 

Two former Intrepid Crew Members paying their respects at the Wall.

 

See my photos posted here, on Intrepid's website.

See more photos on FaceBook or under "Intrepid Events Gallery" at Proof Positive Photography website. Thank you!

Hawes Elementary School ribbon cutting

Last night I did a photo shoot for Ridgewood Patch.com, a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the expansion at Hawes Elementary School.  The ceremony was held in the parking lot outside the new addition.

 

Attending the ceremony were members of the Board of Education, Hawes School staff, architects, and construction management, along with parents.

Henrietta is a duck that the kids adopted. She and her brood routinely walk in the back door, through the halls of the school. "Henrietta's Gate" was constructed so that the new building addition would not disrupt her routine.

The principal and the superintendent of schools cut the ribbon, officially opening the expansion.  For story and more photos, please click here for Ridgewood Patch.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!