Taps 150 commemorated today at Arlington National Cemetery

Today Taps 150 commemorated the 150th Anniversary of Taps, our National Song of Remembrance, in the Old Amphitheater (near the Arlington House) at Arlington National Cemetery. Buglers traveled from all across the US to attend this event. I'm working on the video of all of these volunteers as they played Taps in unison this morning. Actually played twice in two different keys.

Bagpipe Player concludes memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery

                   Bagpipe Player concludes memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery

Navy admirals preceding funeral caisson.

Navy admirals preceding funeral caisson at Arlington National Cemetery

Space Shuttle Discovery on final flight over Potomac River above Washington DC

A personal salute and goodbye at Arlington National Cemetery

Memorial service for a very well respected Navy commander who died while performing an act as a good samaritan.

Tomb of the Unknowns, The Sentinels who guard the monument at Arlington National Cemetery

There are only about 675 soldiers who have acted as sentinels guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Today was a special day for this elite society as there number increased by three. I had the priviledge of photographing the swearing in ceremony of three new sentinels at the Tomb Chapel. This is a very important event for the soldiers, their family members able to attend and the Old Guard. The Sentinel badge is one of the rarest honors in the US army and now held by three more men willing to "walk the mat" guarding the tomb with 21 other members 24 hours a day seven days a week.

I will post more pictures and details about the sentinels over the coming week.

Cherry Blossoms during Marine Corp Memorial Service at Arlington National Cemetery with Old Guard Caisson

Rainy Day at the Columbarium, Arlington National Cemetery

Boots, spurs and hooves, members of Old Guard cassion team

Fall Colors in the Rain at Arlington National Cemetery

Firing Party at Arlington National Cemetery The command "Fire"

Bugler preparing to play Taps at Arlington National Cemetery last week.

Although it's the first week of January there are still some areas of the cemetery where the Christmas wreaths are providing color to the winter scene.

International Color Awards | 5th Annual Photography Masters Cup

International Color Awards | 5th Annual Photography Masters Cup

Dear Don,
CONGRATULATIONS on being a Nominee at the 5th Annual Photography Masters Cup with:
Nominee in Photojournalism "Flag Ceremony At Arlington"
 Nominee in Americana "Final Respects at Arlington"

11,321 entries were received from 83 countries and your work received a high percentage of votes overall. Certainly an achievement, well done!
The Awards Jury represents the industry's biggest names and tastemakers who reviewed the entries online before making the nominations shortlist and honoring 272 title awards in 18 categories. TheAwards could not have wished for a better group of professionals to work with.
We will be promoting your nomination through our international network and PR campaign.
Congratulations once again on being a Nominee and we wish you a most successful photography year.

Best regards,
Basil O'Brien
Creative Director

Watering the cassion team horses at Arlington National Cemetery

Last Friday was hot here is DC with a new record, but despite the afternoon 105% the funerals at Arlington National Cemetery continued on schedule as always.

The honor guard wear their wool uniforms with the appearance of cool detachment.

This is more of a snapshot photo than I usually present, but as we waited for the arrival of

the family to the Old Administration bldg one of the stable hands made the trip from the barn with buckets of water to cool the horses. One of those things that's over and above what's expected of them but they are devoted to the well-being of the horses and their job honoring American veterans. 

I spoke to the family members traveling back to Oklahoma Monday night and the widow told me she spent the night in the hospital afterwards from a combination of the stress of heat, humidity and grief.

 
This was the first burial I've done in section 1 which is one of the oldest parts of the cemetery between the Lee mansion and the Fort Myers Old Post Chapel. The family has gravesites there for 4 generations of family members that have served in the U.S. military.

Don Harper

Wonderful Beauty of Storms

This was a fast moving storm that moved through Arlington on the July 4th weekend. A bit of destruction knocked out power but the storm created some beautiful moments as it moved down the Potomac River and across the Washington DC area from Virginia.

Presidential Wreath Laying at Tomb of the Unknowns First Ever 3D movie

We are in the production phase of producing the first ever 3D movie of the Presidential Wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day 2011. We have produced the first Indian Baraat 3D movie and now the first Arlington Memorial Service in 3D.
I'll be posting the link for the new 3D movie after we've completed the editing.
3D video production requires huge computer resources and is a bit time consuming but seeing the final results will be worth the wait.

3-D video of South Asian Wedding Baraat, requires 3D glasses to view.

3D video on Vimeo, South Asian Indian Baraat Wedding Ceremony



Baraat is a Punjabi bridegroom's wedding procession. The custom of the groom traveling to the wedding venue on a white mare, accompanied by his family members has been adopted by many Indian families here in the U.S.
The baraat can become a large procession with entertainment, the dancing
of the groom's family and friends during a short trip to the ceremony location.

It's fun to watch a groom brandishing his sword for what is frequently the first time on a horse.

Easter Sunrise Service at Arlington National Cemetery

We celebrated a wonderful Easter sunrise service at Arlington National Cemetery this morning with clear skies and warm tempertures. There is speculation that this may be the last service at the Tomb of the Unknowns auditorium as part of the effort to reduce military spending. We shall see what the future holds. Enjoy a few images from this morning.

Cherry Blossoms and rainy days at Arlington National Cemetery

The last month has been a series of heavy rain type days with intermittant sunshine. It's made for some challenging photography and a need for raingear on my cameras. This is an image of McClellan Gate with the cherry blossoms intact on the trees taken earlier this week.
I have more photos this last week taken in the rain than I do sunshine.

Easter Sunrise Service at Arlington National Cemetery

This image is the dove release at the Easter Sunrise service at the Tomb of  The Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery. Mark your calendar.