America's 250th: The Long Road Home

The young colonel sat shivering on the shores of the frosty bank, having only just pulled himself free of the hungry river and thus from what would have been certain death. Pneumonia was a notorious killer in the eighteenth century, but mercifully, such was not to be his fate. His companion, a stout surveyor and frontiersman, was busy hastily building a fire before the freezing temperature regained the upper hand. It was all the colonel could do to inch his way across the carpet of half-frozen leaves and dirt, and with futility, couldn't help but think of his warm fireplace miles and miles away.

Raising of the Flag at Iwo Jima 1/125 f/5.0 ISO 400 16mm

The same American spirit which fought through it's own national birth carries on, generation after generation. This powerful monument to American marines planting our flag on Mount Suribachi during the ending stages of the Pacific War.

Vietnam Memorial 1/500 sec f/8.0 ISO 200 26mm

Etched upon these black granite walls are the names of service members who died or remain missing while serving in Vietnam and South East Asia. The price for American Freedom remains steep.

Small Town America 4th of July 1/400 sec f/5.6 ISO 100 190mm

Every 4th of July, the entire country celebrates. This year, as we turn 250 years strong, our patriotism is only growing, and the real backbone of this country makes no excuses for our loyalty!

Wild mustang and Rider bear our beloved American Flag 1/500 sec f/2.8 ISO 3200 165mm

That's right folks - cowboys in parachutes gracing our skies with Old Glory 1//500 sec f/6.3 ISO 200 70mm

The scout beckoned him closer to the pile of wood, pulling out his rifle with hands already beginning to stiffen. "We cannot risk exposing ourselves to the enemy," the colonel implored his companion. But the scout, fully understanding the direness of their situation, knew they had little choice. "If we fail to warm ourselves, we will perish in these woods far from help or home, Mr. Washington."

With that, he fired a bullet into the tinder, and soon the inviting embers sprang to life. They huddled as close as they could, knowing full well that travel would be impossible until daylight. Colonel George Washington tried keeping his mind off their circumstances and vowed instead to plow forward to carry out their mission as long as they still had breath. Too much depended upon it. Still, in his innermost being, he longed for the comforts of home beside an inviting hearth. It would, indeed, be a long road home.