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So I was asked and honored to make this picture of Blue Ridge Honor Flight this year.  Blue Ridge was on the cover of the new HONOR FLIGHT book which came out recently and this is a new angle.  I decided to meet them at the airport and had time to spend with some of DCA's lovely volunteers--always a treat!

First off the plane was Gold Star mother Anne Adkins who was greeted by Greg Locher with a bouquet of flowers. She traveled with Blue Ridge all day--an interesting new event in Honor Flight history.  

Blue RidgeA Gold Star MotherAnne Atkins traveling with Blue Ridge Honor Flight gets a bouquet of flowers from Greg Locher of American Airlines. Blue Ridge is going to try for a Gold Star Mother on every trip.

After that, it was all business with half a day fog delay to make up and so the remaining greeters cheered the veterans and hustled them to the buses. We were off directly to the Lincoln Memorial where the veterans staged on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and were given ceremonial coins by General _____________ and were greeted by the Marine Corps Drill Team.

Blue RidgeMarybeth Burns really runs Blue Ridge Honor Flight. She's determined and spunky Blue RidgeVeterans deplane at DCA Blue Ridgefind out who this woman is Blue RidgeLauren Burycka is a frequent flyer and I am delighted to see her all over the Mall. Blue RidgeJeff Miller of Blue Ridge Honor Flight Blue RidgeDCA Volunteers gather for a snap. I know lauren burycka and laura nelson-bolick both frequent flyers as Laura's vest will testify. Blue RidgeDCA Volunteers CL Collard on the right photographing for Blue Ridge
 

Two for OneAs I was walking over to make the Blue Ridge Photo, I grabbed a photo of Hudson Valley.

Vietnam Veterans MemorialMany Vietnam Veterans on this trip. Personally I find it the most moving of Memorials
 

Blue RidgeGeneral ________and ___________ Delighted to get the board of Blue Ridge Honor Flight together with Senator Dole. Serendipity! There were three WWII Veterans on the flight and they were briefly honored at the North Carolina Pillar.

JUST ONE MORE (actually two)

Cynthia Collard and I spent a long and pleasant day photographing Blue Ridge together and I had the opportunity to see she and her DCA colleague outfox the fox.  They smooched Senator Dole from both sides leaving him flustered and laughing.  It was a great moment and one of those that make it particularly attractive.

Outfoxing the Fox!Cynthia Collard and I spent a long and pleasant day photographing Blue Ridge together and I had the opportunity to see she and her DCA colleague outfox the fox.  They smooched Senator Dole from both sides leaving him flustered and laughing.  It was a great moment and one of those that make it particularly attractive. Outfoxing the Fox!Cynthia Collard and I spent a long and pleasant day photographing Blue Ridge together and I had the opportunity to see she and her DCA colleague outfox the fox.  They smooched Senator Dole from both sides leaving him flustered and laughing.  It was a great moment and one of those that make it particularly attractive.