A Rare Hand-Me-Down: The Human American Eagle of WWI

We were visiting my grandma over the weekend when she pulled out the framed picture for my husband to see. I've seen this piece of history many times growing up, but watching my husband's eyes light up with fascination renewed my interest in it and prompted me to share it with you. 

The photo was taken in 1918, in Camp Gordon, Atlanta, GA. It consists of 12,500 officers, nurses, and men -- all posed in the shape of an American eagle! (This information is listed on the photo. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can read it down in the lower corners). I can't even imagine the time it took to organize everybody! 


If you look on the right side of the shield, you'll notice a long shadow; that shadow is the photographers tower! My great-grandfather was a cook -- he is standing along one of the two shield side borders (unfortunately we can't remember which side). 


Someday I would love to scan the actual photo, but for now is it resting safely beneath framed glass and waiting to be proudly hung on the wall. 

I find this just amazing!!!!!

In Remembrance of September 11th, 2001: To the Victims

I was a Junior in high school, home that day and working on algebra formulas when the phone rang. It was my aunt, telling me to turn on the news. 
We all know where we were when we heard the news and first saw the images. We remember watching live as the second plane flew into the second tower. We remember covering open mouths with our hands as the first, then the second tower collapsed. We remember the fires blazing at the Pentagon. We remember images of the Flight 93 crash site. 
Every September 11th for the past 9 years, I've remembered those images and shed tears for the lives lost and for the lives affected from those lost. I personally knew no one involved, but I feel for everyone who was personally involved and had their lives tragically changed. 

Please feel free to post your thoughts and memories.

Please keep comments appropriate. This post is to remember the victims and to remember those who lost friends and family, not to post theories, post the tragic pictures (some people  are still traumatized) or bad mouth anyone. Please respect these requests.

Thank you.