I know im late for the comments and I am sorry for that, I really love this shot shows how much love you have for your father. Also shows how stronge of a man your father truly is. Beautiful display work, and I hope im not rude when I give you some feedback. I would put two ordinary lamps on both sides of your image and over a expose it just a little. that would fix your weird lighting you have. Over all beautiful display, strong impact, its truly beautiful...
One of my top five this week. Such powerful meaning and great story. I learned a lot of things that I should know having had family in the military myself. I understand veterans of the war being reluctant to share their medals and stories... but when they do it is so important and meaningful for the rest of us. Thanks.
I agree with Stephanie concerning composition. Excellent execution of the weekly theme. Thank your father for his sacrifice. Our freedom is most precious and we owe all who have placed their life on the line a debt of honor.
@Stephanie- Thank you for your comments! Daddy is very proud of his time in WWII and of his medals too, but he has never bragged about it. Whenever I ask him if I can look at them, he gets a slight delighted look on his face! :) When I said he said "they were just something he got from being in the war", that probably wasn't his exact words. Whenever I would ask about what each medal was for he was reluctant to talk too much about them, I think that comes from him being so humble & not wanting to sound like bragging, cause he could never do that. But he always talked about them with deep respect and I know they mean so much to him, I think he didn't say a lot because he didn't want me to see him choke-up, because he is an emotional man but holds it in. I know his medals & ribbons mean a lot to him, they represent a very important time in his life, those years in WWII he risked his life 24/7, and he was face to face with the enemy and at times in hand to hand combat. In WWII in the front lines of the battle, he and the other solders saw the enemy's faces and looked into their eyes... That has to be the hardest kind of combat for anyone. WWII wasn't like the war's of today, with all the technology of today, wars are fought differently. Thanks again for your nice comments! :)
Saying your father is a true hero doesn't come close! Thanks so much for sharing all of that. As I was reading your description, I kept picturing your father interacting with these medals in his living room, really humble expression on his face and something like Jeopardy playing on the TV in the back. You mentioned that he when you asked him about them he said that they were just something he got from being in the war. That shows what a cultural difference there is between your father's generation and my generation (I'm 23).
+ 1
Submitter
12/8/2011 4:26:07 PM
My husband told me that the Combat Infantry Badge he thought was given in WWII to men who led in battle. My Dad was a Private but when I asked him he said that one time his commander was killed and he was put in charge to lead his company. I thought that was something! cause Privates weren't suppose to be the leaders, but he was known to be the best apparently in how to lead, fight, find shelter, etc... in his group. He said once when they had German prisoners and they had to take cover from shelling he remembered where there was a cave and he took them there for protection, and there was German guns & ammo in the cave. I said weren't you afraid the prisoners would try to get them? He said "we told them they better not!" So many things behind these Symbols of Bravery! just not enough time or space to tell it all! :)
+ 1
Submitter
12/8/2011 4:12:54 PM
My Dad came from a family of 20 kids and my Mom from a family of 11 kids, and they have been married for 64 years, they will have their 65th year anniversary in Feb. Both great parents! :)
+ 1
Submitter
12/8/2011 4:06:12 PM
Daddy is 86, he will be 87 in March, and he only started to tell me about some things when he was in WWII just a few years ago, maybe like 4 years ago. He's always been a very quiet & humble man, and he wouldn't even talk much about his medals & ribbons. He always kept them in his Purple Heart Medal box tucked away in his top dresser drawer. He hardly ever took them out unless I would ask him if I could see them, then he would say okay. When I would ask about them he would just say "oh, I don't know... just what I got for being in the war." I found out a lot when I looked them up.
He's the best Dad! :)
+ 1
Submitter
12/8/2011 3:57:08 PM
Oh, and thank you for your votes/boosts too! :)
+ 1
Submitter
12/8/2011 3:11:27 PM
Thanks for your comments & liking my photo & my Dad's history. :) @cadiskid- yes I'm proud of my Dad. :) But I'm a proud daughter! LOL :) That's okay! You had no idea who I was! :)
I forgot to tell you this, 60 years after the war ended, 2005, my Dad gets a big yellow envelope in the mail from the Army. I said, "Daddy, what is the Army trying to do? Calling you back into the Army??" He opened it and there was a nice box he opened and in it was his 'Bronze Star' incased in a clear plastic bubble! Is the Army slow?? Nah... only 60 years later he gets it!!! LOL :)
+ 1
Submitter
12/8/2011 6:33:50 AM
I made my comment below into several paragraphs, but when I clicked Post it printed it altogether. Sorry if that makes it harder to read... I wish it would have stayed in paragraph's.
+ 1
Submitter
12/8/2011 6:30:03 AM
These are my Dad's from World War II.
Left- Bronze Star Medal: Individual military decoration and the fourth-highest award for bravery & heroism during hostile fire/imminent danger.
Right- Purple Heart Medal: My Dad was given this because he was wounded in battle in Italy. A shell went off near him & damage his hearing & eye on that side. After a few days in a field hospital he was sent out to the front lines again. He should have had an Oak Leaf attached to the top of his Purple Heart Medal, because he was injured a 2nd time in battle. Another shell went off & he was hit by shrepnal. It was in the winter & it went through 6-7 layers of clothes. The Dr. put something on it & taped a bandage over it. He fought the rest of the War with shrepnal in his back. When he got home his Mom put a porous on it and dug the shrepnal out. The Dr. there failed to turn in the papers so they didn't give him his 2nd Purple Heart Medal, which would have been an Oak Leaf attached to the top of his first Purple Heart Medal.
Center - The Pine Tree Patch: 91st Infantry Division
Daddy was in Company A, First Ba-talon, 363 Regiment of the 91st Infantry Division.
I believe there are over 100 men in a Company; 3 Company's in a Ba-talon; 3 Ba-talon's in a Regiment; & 3 Regiment in a Division.
Center - Good Conduct Medals: On each side of the Pine Tree. Daddy got 2 of these. There are 2 ribbons at the bottom, and above the tree patch & in the 3 ribbon bar.
Center left - Purple ribbon: they are same as the Purple Heart Medal.
Center - Long Ribbon Bar Pin: on the right end the ribbon that is green/white/red/brown & the single one below it, is European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign ribbons. The 3 small bronze stars on the long ribbon bar are 3 Bronze Star Devices, they represent that he fought in 3 different campaigns. In NW African & up & down the entire length of Italy.
Middle Right - Victory Medal Thin Ribbon: This ribbon is faded, it should be bright red in the middle. My Dad never did get the Victory Medal that was made to follow this Victory Medal Thin Ribbon. He was suppose to get it after the war was over. Still hasn't come yet, 66- 67 years later! Maybe the Army will catch up on their paper work one day! :)
Top Middle - Combat Infantry Badge: Blue with the gun & oak reef. Given to my Dad for fighting under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy. This medal was created with the primary goal of recognizing the sacrifices of the infantrymen who were disproportionately likely to be killed or wounded during World War II. He was fighting in the front lines, wounded twice & sent back out to the front both times. They expected many in the front to be killed... my Dad was one of the lucky ones.
Top left & right - U.S. Army Infantry (Enlisted) Branch Insignia Badges.
My Dad's Dog Tags are cut out of the photo on the bottom. I didn't think I should show his full name & ID #.
I hope you all enjoy the explanation of what each one is for!
There's so much to tell of this humble Kentucky farm boy who went to war, his days in the woods & hunting & his knowledge & skill with his guns, are probably what saved his life. He has told me many things such as how they had to go up a mountain & the snow was up to their knees. They slept 5 to a tent in sleeping bags which they had to carry by day along with their guns & ammo. They wore long underware, OD Pants, overhalls blanket lined, wool shirt, sweater, Jacket & a Big Heavy Coat that was reversible white & OD color. Taboggan under helmet, wool scarf, 2 pair wool socks & Boots. He said they got one clean pair of socks a week. He would put the clean pair on first & the dirty pair over those.
So much more to say of just one humble man's journey... no time.
Hope you all enjoyed this part of his journey! :)
+ 0
Submitter
12/8/2011 4:20:36 AM
Thank you all for your very nice comments! @Stephanie- Thank you for your nice comment & for asking me to explain these too! I will do that in the next comment box I type. It will take a few mins., so check back if I haven't finished it yet. :)
Wow, this is such powerful imagery! The composition, unfortunately does not do it justice. One of the hardest things to learn as a photographer is that somethings just don't make good compositions as they are. If you had access to rearrange them or even have them on the uniform that would make it so much more appealing to the eye. I don't have any family who has ever served, so if you have a few minutes, can you explain what some of these stand for?
Really nice photography and great example of symbols. This example brings a new element to symbols in what I'm learning this week. These symbols in combination tell a story of one man. In this specific combination they represent his contributions in the war. Yet, each individual piece could be worn by many that belonged to or earned what that individual pin, medal or insignia signifies. You really deserve to proud of him and I probably represent thousands of folks that would express our thanks to him and to the many others that wore such medals and emblems. I like this entry a lot.
+ 0
Submitter
12/7/2011 6:53:41 AM
I'm sorry I cropped out his dog tags at the bottom, but I didn't think I should be showing his full name & military ID to all the public. @Tony- I hope you don't mind that I put "The GreatPhotoRace" on the photo, along with 'Do not copy'. Thanks :)
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Comments
I know im late for the comments and I am sorry for that, I really love this shot shows how much love you have for your father. Also shows how stronge of a man your father truly is. Beautiful display work, and I hope im not rude when I give you some feedback. I would put two ordinary lamps on both sides of your image and over a expose it just a little. that would fix your weird lighting you have. Over all beautiful display, strong impact, its truly beautiful...
Thank you slrcreative! I agree with you! :)
One of my top five this week. Such powerful meaning and great story. I learned a lot of things that I should know having had family in the military myself. I understand veterans of the war being reluctant to share their medals and stories... but when they do it is so important and meaningful for the rest of us. Thanks.
Thank you for your nice comments Mangoes! :)
I agree with Stephanie concerning composition. Excellent execution of the weekly theme. Thank your father for his sacrifice. Our freedom is most precious and we owe all who have placed their life on the line a debt of honor.
Thank you for your comments & votes! :)
@unusualanglesphotography I competly argee +3
Thank you pinculetz22 & unusualangles for your nice comments & for your boosts too! :)
PS- +2 for an amazing story and an awesome photo to go along with it.
Great photo of items from a great man. You should be proud. Great interpretation of the theme. Very fitting.
I have no words. ..
@Stephanie- Thank you for your comments! Daddy is very proud of his time in WWII and of his medals too, but he has never bragged about it. Whenever I ask him if I can look at them, he gets a slight delighted look on his face! :) When I said he said "they were just something he got from being in the war", that probably wasn't his exact words. Whenever I would ask about what each medal was for he was reluctant to talk too much about them, I think that comes from him being so humble & not wanting to sound like bragging, cause he could never do that. But he always talked about them with deep respect and I know they mean so much to him, I think he didn't say a lot because he didn't want me to see him choke-up, because he is an emotional man but holds it in. I know his medals & ribbons mean a lot to him, they represent a very important time in his life, those years in WWII he risked his life 24/7, and he was face to face with the enemy and at times in hand to hand combat. In WWII in the front lines of the battle, he and the other solders saw the enemy's faces and looked into their eyes... That has to be the hardest kind of combat for anyone. WWII wasn't like the war's of today, with all the technology of today, wars are fought differently. Thanks again for your nice comments! :)
Saying your father is a true hero doesn't come close! Thanks so much for sharing all of that. As I was reading your description, I kept picturing your father interacting with these medals in his living room, really humble expression on his face and something like Jeopardy playing on the TV in the back. You mentioned that he when you asked him about them he said that they were just something he got from being in the war. That shows what a cultural difference there is between your father's generation and my generation (I'm 23).
My husband told me that the Combat Infantry Badge he thought was given in WWII to men who led in battle. My Dad was a Private but when I asked him he said that one time his commander was killed and he was put in charge to lead his company. I thought that was something! cause Privates weren't suppose to be the leaders, but he was known to be the best apparently in how to lead, fight, find shelter, etc... in his group. He said once when they had German prisoners and they had to take cover from shelling he remembered where there was a cave and he took them there for protection, and there was German guns & ammo in the cave. I said weren't you afraid the prisoners would try to get them? He said "we told them they better not!" So many things behind these Symbols of Bravery! just not enough time or space to tell it all! :)
My Dad came from a family of 20 kids and my Mom from a family of 11 kids, and they have been married for 64 years, they will have their 65th year anniversary in Feb. Both great parents! :)
Daddy is 86, he will be 87 in March, and he only started to tell me about some things when he was in WWII just a few years ago, maybe like 4 years ago. He's always been a very quiet & humble man, and he wouldn't even talk much about his medals & ribbons. He always kept them in his Purple Heart Medal box tucked away in his top dresser drawer. He hardly ever took them out unless I would ask him if I could see them, then he would say okay. When I would ask about them he would just say "oh, I don't know... just what I got for being in the war." I found out a lot when I looked them up. He's the best Dad! :)
Oh, and thank you for your votes/boosts too! :)
Thanks for your comments & liking my photo & my Dad's history. :) @cadiskid- yes I'm proud of my Dad. :) But I'm a proud daughter! LOL :) That's okay! You had no idea who I was! :)
Definetly worth a vote just for the heroics involved, well done +2
Very nice. Thanks so much for telling us... and thanks to him.
Great history from a proud son.Thank`s +1
I forgot to tell you this, 60 years after the war ended, 2005, my Dad gets a big yellow envelope in the mail from the Army. I said, "Daddy, what is the Army trying to do? Calling you back into the Army??" He opened it and there was a nice box he opened and in it was his 'Bronze Star' incased in a clear plastic bubble! Is the Army slow?? Nah... only 60 years later he gets it!!! LOL :)
I made my comment below into several paragraphs, but when I clicked Post it printed it altogether. Sorry if that makes it harder to read... I wish it would have stayed in paragraph's.
These are my Dad's from World War II. Left- Bronze Star Medal: Individual military decoration and the fourth-highest award for bravery & heroism during hostile fire/imminent danger. Right- Purple Heart Medal: My Dad was given this because he was wounded in battle in Italy. A shell went off near him & damage his hearing & eye on that side. After a few days in a field hospital he was sent out to the front lines again. He should have had an Oak Leaf attached to the top of his Purple Heart Medal, because he was injured a 2nd time in battle. Another shell went off & he was hit by shrepnal. It was in the winter & it went through 6-7 layers of clothes. The Dr. put something on it & taped a bandage over it. He fought the rest of the War with shrepnal in his back. When he got home his Mom put a porous on it and dug the shrepnal out. The Dr. there failed to turn in the papers so they didn't give him his 2nd Purple Heart Medal, which would have been an Oak Leaf attached to the top of his first Purple Heart Medal. Center - The Pine Tree Patch: 91st Infantry Division Daddy was in Company A, First Ba-talon, 363 Regiment of the 91st Infantry Division. I believe there are over 100 men in a Company; 3 Company's in a Ba-talon; 3 Ba-talon's in a Regiment; & 3 Regiment in a Division. Center - Good Conduct Medals: On each side of the Pine Tree. Daddy got 2 of these. There are 2 ribbons at the bottom, and above the tree patch & in the 3 ribbon bar. Center left - Purple ribbon: they are same as the Purple Heart Medal. Center - Long Ribbon Bar Pin: on the right end the ribbon that is green/white/red/brown & the single one below it, is European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign ribbons. The 3 small bronze stars on the long ribbon bar are 3 Bronze Star Devices, they represent that he fought in 3 different campaigns. In NW African & up & down the entire length of Italy. Middle Right - Victory Medal Thin Ribbon: This ribbon is faded, it should be bright red in the middle. My Dad never did get the Victory Medal that was made to follow this Victory Medal Thin Ribbon. He was suppose to get it after the war was over. Still hasn't come yet, 66- 67 years later! Maybe the Army will catch up on their paper work one day! :) Top Middle - Combat Infantry Badge: Blue with the gun & oak reef. Given to my Dad for fighting under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy. This medal was created with the primary goal of recognizing the sacrifices of the infantrymen who were disproportionately likely to be killed or wounded during World War II. He was fighting in the front lines, wounded twice & sent back out to the front both times. They expected many in the front to be killed... my Dad was one of the lucky ones. Top left & right - U.S. Army Infantry (Enlisted) Branch Insignia Badges. My Dad's Dog Tags are cut out of the photo on the bottom. I didn't think I should show his full name & ID #. I hope you all enjoy the explanation of what each one is for! There's so much to tell of this humble Kentucky farm boy who went to war, his days in the woods & hunting & his knowledge & skill with his guns, are probably what saved his life. He has told me many things such as how they had to go up a mountain & the snow was up to their knees. They slept 5 to a tent in sleeping bags which they had to carry by day along with their guns & ammo. They wore long underware, OD Pants, overhalls blanket lined, wool shirt, sweater, Jacket & a Big Heavy Coat that was reversible white & OD color. Taboggan under helmet, wool scarf, 2 pair wool socks & Boots. He said they got one clean pair of socks a week. He would put the clean pair on first & the dirty pair over those. So much more to say of just one humble man's journey... no time. Hope you all enjoyed this part of his journey! :)
Thank you all for your very nice comments! @Stephanie- Thank you for your nice comment & for asking me to explain these too! I will do that in the next comment box I type. It will take a few mins., so check back if I haven't finished it yet. :)
Excellent
Wow, this is such powerful imagery! The composition, unfortunately does not do it justice. One of the hardest things to learn as a photographer is that somethings just don't make good compositions as they are. If you had access to rearrange them or even have them on the uniform that would make it so much more appealing to the eye. I don't have any family who has ever served, so if you have a few minutes, can you explain what some of these stand for?
Very emotional image. I would be proud too if he was my dad.
Awesome pic. I love the whole arrangement of the metals. Job well done. You got my vote :o)
... and one thing I forgot to mention. I like the example of how a watermark for GPR could appear on our photos.
Really nice photography and great example of symbols. This example brings a new element to symbols in what I'm learning this week. These symbols in combination tell a story of one man. In this specific combination they represent his contributions in the war. Yet, each individual piece could be worn by many that belonged to or earned what that individual pin, medal or insignia signifies. You really deserve to proud of him and I probably represent thousands of folks that would express our thanks to him and to the many others that wore such medals and emblems. I like this entry a lot.
I'm sorry I cropped out his dog tags at the bottom, but I didn't think I should be showing his full name & military ID to all the public. @Tony- I hope you don't mind that I put "The GreatPhotoRace" on the photo, along with 'Do not copy'. Thanks :)