Thank you for your service. Celebrating Captain Nicole Speakman.

Just before I left for vacation I got a email from a lovely military nurse who was retiring from the Air Force. She wanted me to do the photography for her retirement ceremony. I have had the opportunity to photograph many different events but this was my first military ceremony. Nicole came to me through a friend who I go to church with and had taken photos for her son's first birthday. Thanks, Sarah for the referral. I was grateful that I had the day and time of her ceremony open....also that she would trust me with such an important life event for her and her family. When I met with Nicole we took some time to walk through the space where the ceremony would happen. The venue actually is a museum on base that also is used for this type of ceremony. I was glad to help Nicole think through some of the logistics and I put her mind at ease that it would be a wonderful and honoring ceremony. 

What I learned that day is what a distinguished military career she had and what value she brought to world of nursing. She has traveled extensively with the Air Force and has worked tirelessly as a nurse. Nicole was joined by her husband, John and son, Wesley along with her Father, Mother, her Sister and family. Many friends, extended family and co-workers came from far and wide to celebrate with her. She was overwhelmed with gratitude to all who came and celebrated with her.

Thank you, Nicole for your service and for trusting me. I wish you God Speed as you pursue nursing in the private sector. 

Celebrating a great accomplishment with my other family.....

Recently I had the privilege to accompany a dear friend from grade school and her family to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. We've been a part of each others families since 6th grade and have stayed in touch for the last 40 years. Nadine and I have been through a lot together.....it seems that as each was going through a season the other was either on the other side or just beginning....we've watched our kids grow up and now I am watching her kids become parents. What a great honor to be included with her family and the nation for this historic event.  Nadine's sister, Dr. Renee S. Anderson, is the Head of Collections for the museum and has spent count less hours, days, weeks and years preparing for this museum and grand opening. As family, friends and community leaders came together on that Friday in September we were one of the first of many groups of visitors that would visit this beautiful museum.  I was in awe of the attention to detail that was not spared;  to the detail of the building, to the quotes that were used through out and every piece of clothing and art that was displayed. Not only was it beautiful, rich and sobering.... it was a gift to be included and to share this moment with my friend and her family.

Nadine and I were raise in Va. during the early 70's when friendships like ours were not necessarily easy. Many people were not open to crossing racial boundary but despite the world around us we became fast friends and some of our most treasured and trusted moments have been spent together. To be able to go to this museum with her and her family was very special. I am grateful to have been able to share it with her. The accomplishments made by Renee have been such a source of pride for Nadine's family and to see Nadine as a proud older sister was awesome. 

When we toured the museum it was still a week before the "Grand Opening" and many of the exhibits had not been completed. It still made a big impact on all of us and to walk around with Nadine's mother and see it through her eyes was really amazing. It was difficult for Nadine and early on in the tour she had to step away...we talked about it later the next day and it still was difficult for her to express how deep her feelings were for her people and the harshness and brutality they experienced. My hope is to go back with Nadine and her kids to experience the museum with them now that it is completed. 

These are a few of the photos from our time at the museum with her family. I have included a link to the website for the museum here:  https://nmaahc.si.edu  A special thanks to, Dr. Renee S. (Jackson) Anderson for her hard work as Head of Collections and for sharing such a beautiful piece of history with us and the world.