Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

Remembering those sacrificed on the altar of freedom

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Remembering those sacrificed on the altar of freedom
Flags decorate the headstones at Fort Logan National Cemetery. (© Tony’s Takes)

As we close out this Memorial Day weekend, I hope everyone has taken the time to honor the brave men and women that are no longer with us. They have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this great nation and we are forever in their debt.

In the fall of 1864, President Abraham Lincoln penned a letter to Mrs. Lydia Bixby, a widow who at the time was believed to have lost five sons in the Civil War. His words serve as a reminder of the blood that has been spilled for our freedom, the lives lost and the pain of those left behind:

Executive Mansion, Washington, Nov. 21, 1864

Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom. Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

Abraham Lincoln

*Note: I am aware that some scholars now believe the letter was written by John Hay, a White House Secretary and that after the fact, it was learned Ms. Bixby “only” lost two of her five sons in battle.

Holidays with heroes

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Holidays with heroes
Wreaths decorate veterans’ gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

I stopped by Fort Logan National Cemetery this morning to visit my dad. This is the 10th Christmas since he has been gone and in many ways it doesn’t get easier. I sat and talked to him for quite a while, shed more than a few tears.

Afterwards, I wandered the rows of headstones, contemplating all of the brave men and women that stake their final resting place on that hallowed ground. The cemetery is a beautiful and peaceful place, any time of year.

During the holidays though, it is even more special as his and many other veterans’ graves are decorated with wreaths for Christmas. The red ribbons and green pine really pop against the gray marble of the markers and provide a fresh reminder to never forget those who served this nation and are no longer with us.

Wreaths decorate veterans' gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans’ gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans' gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans’ gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans' gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans’ gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans' gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans’ gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Thunderbirds say thank you

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Thunderbirds say thank you
The Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the Denver metro area to thank front line responders. (© Tony’s Takes)

Not the usual type of birds I photograph – these guys were a lot more mechanical. 😉

The Air Force Thunderbirds did a flyover the Air Force Academy’s graduation today then gave much of the Colorado Front Range a treat. As part of their #AirForceSalutes thanking front line responders for keeping us safe during the pandemic, they did flybys of many hospitals from Fort Collins down to Pueblo.

It was a bit of a guessing game as to where was best to setup and, unfortunately, I opted for a spot further north than what I should have. Mother Nature complicated things further with hazy skies. Nevertheless, I managed some okay shots and it was definitely a treat.

The Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the Denver metro area to thank front line responders. (© Tony’s Takes)
The Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the Denver metro area to thank front line responders. (© Tony’s Takes)

Marble and pine on Christmas Eve

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Marble and pine on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve at Fort Logan National Cemetery. (© Tony’s Takes)

I stopped by Fort Logan National Cemetery today to visit my dad and pay my respects to him and many others interred at this sacred place. Remember those who have served this great nation and are no longer with their families this season. Miss you, Pa!

Christmas Eve at Fort Logan National Cemetery. (© Tony’s Takes)
Christmas Eve at Fort Logan National Cemetery. (© Tony’s Takes)
Christmas Eve at Fort Logan National Cemetery. (© Tony’s Takes)
Christmas Eve at Fort Logan National Cemetery. (© Tony’s Takes)
Christmas Eve at Fort Logan National Cemetery. (© Tony’s Takes)
Christmas Eve at Fort Logan National Cemetery. (© Tony’s Takes)

When 1945 met 1995

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Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)

Today’s 75th anniversary of D-Day had me harkening back to this event in 1995 when I was honored to have been part of an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and its air wing were tasked with taking part in the ceremonies at Pearl Harbor. As part of that, we transported a number of old warbirds, some of which had seen service during WWII.

Best of all, when we arrived on station off the coast of Hawaii, the vintage planes took off from the deck of the carrier! To my knowledge, this was the only such event that has done this – it was extraordinary!

The pics are scans from old negatives and need some work but I wanted to post them today given the significance of the date.

Our nation is truly blessed and it is humbling to consider what the Greatest Generation accomplished.

Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
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Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
An F4U Corsair stands ready to launch from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
An F4U Corsair stands ready to launch from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
An F4U Corsair launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
An F4U Corsair launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
A B-25 Mitchell launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
A B-25 Mitchell launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
A B-25 Mitchell launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
A B-25 Mitchell launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)

Paying homage to our nation’s heroes

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Paying homage to our nation’s heroes
“Grace” at the Thornton Veterans Memorial. (© Tony’s Takes)

I would normally visit Fort Logan National Cemetery today but it wasn’t quite in the cards this year. Nevertheless, I made sure to respect the true meaning of Memorial Day and instead visited the Thornton Veterans Memorial.

From the memorial for the fallen to the names on the bricks that pave the walkways to ‘Grace’ releasing a dove, it is a beautiful place to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this great nation. We shall never forget!

“And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.” ~Joseph Drake

Eagle sculpture and flag at the Thornton Veterans Memorial. (© Tony’s Takes)
Eagle sculpture and flag at the Thornton Veterans Memorial. (© Tony’s Takes)
Fallen heroes monument at the Thornton Veterans Memorial. (© Tony’s Takes)
Fallen heroes monument at the Thornton Veterans Memorial. (© Tony’s Takes)

Colorado National Guard gears up for wildfire season

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Colorado National Guard gears up for wildfire season
A Colorado National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk picks up water in a firefighting bucket with the snow-capped mountains in the background. (© Tony’s Takes)

Not the usual type of “bird” you see me photograph, eh?  

Wildfires are an unfortunate fact of life in the west during the summer and the brave men and women that battle the blazes have to hone their skills before they join the fight. In recent days, the military has been practicing at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. The UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were picking up water from one lake and then dropping it near another.

Having served many years in the Navy on an aircraft carrier, aviation and military photography doesn’t normally appeal to me but as those years move further into the past, I have to admit once again getting a bit excited seeing them in action.

I flew on a number of different military planes and helicopters, including once on an SH-60, the Navy’s variant of the Blackhawk, dubbed the Seahawk. Truly an impressive aircraft.

A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)

For all those empty place settings at the table this holiday season

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Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

I stopped by Fort Logan National Cemetery this past weekend to visit my dad and a few other of our nation’s heroes. He – and all of them – are sorely missed and the holidays aren’t quite the same without them.

Wreaths Across America and hundreds of volunteers place wreaths at thousands of graves at Fort Logan and other national cemeteries across the nation before Christmas each year. This very special program’s mission is to, “Remember our fallen U.S. veterans. Honor those who serve. Teach your children the value of freedom.”

The hallowed ground of these cemeteries are transformed into a beautiful and respectful scene, fitting for the holidays. For families like mine, who have loved ones interred there, it is a meaningful and emotional thing to see.

We sponsor the wreath for my dad’s site and some random others and next year, I would encourage you to do the same. Please, honor those who served and are no longer with us and say a prayer for them and their families during this blessed season.

Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

In honor of our nation’s heroes

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Happy Veterans Day to all who have served.

An American Bald Eagle proudly honors our nation's veterans. (© Tony’s Takes)
An American Bald Eagle proudly honors our nation’s veterans. (© Tony’s Takes)

Remembering fallen friends on Memorial Day

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On Saturday I stopped by Fort Logan National Cemetery to pay my respects to my dad and the thousands of other heroes that have served this great nation and are laid to rest there.

Memorial Day is, of course, not a day for all of those interred there. This most auspicious holiday is for honoring those who gave the last full measure of devotion, sacrificing their lives in service to this nation. Going there is always an emotional and humbling experience. This scene made it more so.

A man stood, motionless, staring down at one of the markers, deep in his thoughts. Was it a father? A brother? A fallen shipmate? No matter who it was, he was far more than just a marble stone. He was one of the few that had the courage to put on that uniform and stand the line against those that would harm this nation.

Our nation owes an unpayable debt of gratitude to them and their families. Take time to remember them today and give thanks for what they have done.