I've really missed the Lihd site and viewing and sharing photos with all the members. I have been struggling with a series of health issues that have occupied much of my time. I amfeeling much better now and hope to share with everyone our pictures and videos. I have recently been challenging myself with some product photography. It really requires a lot of patience to get some good shots. I'd thought I'd share some with you.

Steve

I just wanted to thank all the LIHD members for the friendly comments on my photographs. I really enjoy taking the photos and especially the ones of events. It seems that there is a lot of interest in the photographs featuring aircraft and space craft. Maybe its because aircraft, spacecraft and those brave souls who fly them played and continue to play such a large role in the development, defense and and technology of our country.

 I remember back to that cold January day in 1961 when John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural  speech and listed as one of the Nation's goals to "... send a man to the moon and bring him safely back to earth by the end of this decade". Indeed we did. At no small cost, by the way, lives were lost, billions were spent, but the effort pulled our nation together with a common vision and sense of purpose and created most of the technology we now enjoy and that secures the United States today. 

No great move forward,no important social change and no protection of our freedoms and way of life comes without enormous cost.

I just attended a seminar held at the Steven Udvar-Hazy National Air and Space Museum located in Chantilly Virginia. The subject of the seminar was a Top Secret program from the 1960 to 1979 period specifically an aircraft known as the A-11. This project was so secret that it was not de-classified until 2007.  This aircraft was the precursor to the more well known and displayed SR-71 "Blackbird".The best part was to hear from the people who actually worked on the program, including the Pilots,Engineers, Scientists and Managers. These men, now in their 70's and 80's sacrificed much to help defend our nation by helping to provide the means to gather intelligence about what our adversaries were up to. They all spoke with enthusiasm and clarity about how, with a very small number of people, they were able to design,build,trouble shoot, test and eventually fly missions to defend our nation. These men were and still are, heroes.

After the seminar the speakers and attendees gathered in the museum and answered questions and signed autographs. I was standing at the railing overlooking the SR-71 when I noticed one of the Pilots walking towards the railing. He still had the unmistakeable steady gaite and clear blue eyes of a fighter pilot. He looked out at the "Blackbird" tapped the rail once or twice and turned to leave. His eyes had teared up as if he were saying goodbye to a friend he might not see again. I couldn't bring myself to intrude on his moment by taking a photograph

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Went to do a little fishing and picnicing at my favorite park. I was walking back to the picnic table when I heard this loud "quacking" noise, I turned around and saw that this friendly trio of ducks had followed me from the waters edge. Glad I had my pocket sized point and shoot camera with me.

Hi Everyone,

Just got the email about the release of the Blurb Book, Living Life to the Fullest. I checked it out and it looks fantastic. What a great job by Eileen Calandro,Susan Seaman and all the other members of the LIHD team. Special thanks for all the members who took these great photographs and shared them with us all. I already ordered a copy of the book.