BEHIND THE LENS, OUR LENS
Veterans Day 2009 (9 images)
11
November
Staff Photographers from the St. Petersburg Times spread out around the community over the last few days to capture images from events around our communities honoring our veterans. Clearwater based staff photographer Jim Damaske was one of those photographers covering events. Damaske, who has worked at the Times for 22 years as well as a stint in the 1970's when he was a college student, says the event has special meaning to him.
"You want to remember them. My dad was a veteran and it gave more significance to me after he died. It's interesting that there's still some of these people who were in the same war as my dad was. They're going away. There's not as many and we're losing their stories. I think it's important to remember their stories," Damaske says.
CLICK HERE TO SEE A COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY OF VETERAN'S DAY EVENTS AROUND THE TAMPA BAY AREA
A memorial wreath floats in Tampa Bay after it was tossed into the water at the Safety Harbor Veterans Memorial Plaza during a Veterans Day program, which was held by the City of Safety Harbor in conjunction with VFW Post 10093 and American Legion Post 238.[Jim Damaske,Times]
Seth Uschuk, 17, center, and other members of the River Ridge High School Air Force JROTC fold the flag during the Veterans Day Flag Ceremony held at Pasco-Hernando Community College in New Port Richey. The event honors military veterans.[Keri Wigington, Times]
Guest speaker Gy. Sgt. Nathaniel Garcia, with the United States Marine Corps, foreground (hat), listens as the choir of St. Alfreds Episcopal Church performs a closing piece during Curlew Hills Memory Gardens' 22nd Annual Veterans Day Services in Palm Harbor. Garcia is currently stationed at US Central Command in Tampa.[Douglas R. Clifford, Times]
With eyes closed, purple Heart recipient John Padykula, 91, sings "God Bless America" at the Veterans Day commemoration program at Bay Pines VA Medical Center. The program will featured keynote speaker, Rep. H. William “Bill” Heller from Florida House of Representatives District 52; live music performed byKeswick Christian School Wind Ensemble and Choir; a firing detail; and wreath presentation.[Cherie Diez, Times]
Dressed as a Revolutionary War soldier, 3 1/2-year-old Elijah Boulware watches honor guard units assemble as his grandmother, Jan Bassett, explains to the young boy what is going on during a Veterans Day ceremony held at the community center on S. Pebble Beach Ave. in Sun City Center. The ceremony was sponsored by the combined military veterans organizations of Sun City Center, and featured Cpt. James W. Cluck, (retired), who is currently the Senior Procurement Executive for the U.S. Special Operations Command out of MacDill Air Force Base.[Stephen J. Coddington]
Ron Ashley, of Clearwater, plays taps while Pete Kristall, of Clearwater, left, salutes to conclude Curlew Hills Memory Gardens' 22nd Annual Veterans Day Services in Palm Harbor. The men are with the Marine Corps League's Morris F. Dixon, Jr., Detachment #54.[Douglas R. Clifford, Times]
Cassandra Balkman and parade attendees sing the Star Spangled Banner during a Veterans' Day Parade at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa.[Atoyia Deans, Times]
Grand Marshall Edward Pessolano, center, and Lt. Col. (retired) Gordy Bassett, right, join other veterans and community members in a singing of the national anthem during a Veterans Day ceremony held at the community center on S. Pebble Beach Ave. in Sun City Center.[Stephen J. Coddington]
A large American flag is flown at half staff in observance of Veteran's Day near Main Street (SR580) and US 19 in Clearwater.[Douglas R. Clifford, Times]
