In the silence of the gloaming, I stood at the Southern Arizona Memorial Cemetary and gazed at the scene in front of me. There stood our flag flying proud and robust above the grand Huachuca Mountains. Huachuca Mountains. Translate it from its Native American language you have Thunder Mountains. The appropriateness of this name struck me all the more in the context of Memorial Day weekend.

I was on a mission this day. The goal; capture images that commemorate and memorialize the brave patriots that sacrificed all in defense of the grand experiment of a free people that is our nation - democracy. It seemed fitting that at the hallowed ground of this final resting place of those heroes lost to the thunder of battle that I could capture the banner of this countries ideal with the thunder mountains in the background. Daylight ebbed, and the fading sunlight painted the clouds in shades of majestic purple. Before my eyes the color bled onto the cliffs and grasslands before me, staining the vista into a surreal visual metaphor. Humbly, I realized I had the image of honor I sought.

This image is the first of this weekends tribute to our fallen heroes. I pray you will indulge the multiple posts as I share these images with you all.
Shoot Date: May 26, 2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Manual ¼ sec at f/8.0 0 EV
Lens: EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM @ 90 mm
ISO: 100