Memorial Day 2008

After 17 days of rain, this Memorial Day Weekend will go down in history as a stand out. Even though the temperature was a little below normal for this time of year, the bright sunny sky made up for it.

2008 marks the 16th year that the Shuttys of Elder Township have thrown their Memorial Day picnic and, as always, we had a good time of it. I can walk around for hours and never run out of things to photograph.

While some folks may find formal gardens to be their cup of tea, I prefer a garden that invites me in to enjoy myself as this picture and the next one suggest.


Cat with red ball.


As you walk around the Shutty homestead you can change your view of things by more than 20 feet. For the next 2 shots I was standing on a covered porch/deck looking down on a patio.

When things are no longer useful on the job they can always be turned into backyard art, as is the case with this old pair of boots and a wheelbarrow.


Damn...Too old to play with the kids...Too young to hang with the adults.
Sometimes it's hard to be a kid.


Old Oil Cans.


Portrait of a young boy.


One of about 4-5 frogs that makes it's home in part of Sandy's water feature.


Male bonding at its finest.


A year ago this beast was just a pup sitting in its owner's lap.


I don't plan this stuff, I just shoot it.


Ditto.



I was up and out of the house at 0710 on Monday morning in order to cover the first of the day's events for the Star-Courier. The day dawned bright and sunny for the first trip to Northern Cambria and the service at St. Patrick's Cemetery.





Taps was played by Janet Krumenacker, a member of the Northern Cambria High School band.

After leaving St. Patrick's Cemetery, I headed over to Patton for their parade at 0900.


Veterans marching on Magee Avenue in downtown Patton, PA.


Patton VFW Rifle Squad.

Out of the more than 150 photographs I shot in Patton, this is my favorite one.

Cambria Heights High School band members playing the National Anthem.

Captain Bob Nagle was the keynote speaker in Patton.

Drummers for the Hastings VFW march down Beaver Street on their way to St. Bernard's Cemetery.

Cambria Heights High School Band played in Patton, then Hastings, before going on to the memorial in St. Benedict.

Hastings VFW Color Guard.


Members of the Hastings Area Youth Association and the Hastings Fire Department followed the vets to the cemetery. After the parade the kids headed over to the community park for the all-day ball games.

World War II Veteran.


Senior Vice Commander Barbara Moore of the Hastings VFW Post 1586 salutes after laying the wreath at the Boroughs' Veterans Memorial.

Bob Konior and William Rusnak hand salute during the rifle squad firing.


Bob Mortensen, flag bearer.