Check out the full set of pictures – HERE

Very interesting idea.  Seems like it would be pretty tough to get the perspective perfect unless you could somehow hook your camera up to your computer and have some sort of “live view” and overlay the historical picture with lots of transparency. There must be some programs available to do that… trial and error would just be too tedious.

Almost a century ago and without the aid of any pixel-generating computer software, the itinerant photographer Arthur Mole (1889-1983) used his 11 x 14-inch view camera to stage a series of extraordinary mass photographic spectacles that choreographed living bodies into symbolic formations of religious and national community. In these mass ornaments, thousands of military troops and other groups were arranged artfully to form American patriotic symbols, emblems, and military insignia visible from a bird’s eye perspective. During World War I, these military formations came to serve as rallying points to support American involvement in the war and to ward off isolationist tendencies.

More Info – HERE

Lots more pictures – HERE

*Click them to view full-size*
(The photographs appear to be on display at the Hammer Gallery in Chicago, IL)

Simply amazing; the use of perspective is incredible. It would be neat to see this done again.

I wonder if there was a lot of complaining back then? I’m sure there would be plenty today if soldiers were ordered to be involved in this type of project.

Pretty neat compilation using scenes from popular movies:

Source

Another great set of photos from May.

Check them out – HERE

As you can see in the photo above (#13 in the group), the Army Sargent is preparing to crawl into a cave with the knife clenched between his teeth.  Is that common practice?  Or was he just fooling around for the photo? I always thought it was only done in movies like Rambo for effect.  I tried it once with my USMC Ka-Bar but it wasn’t very comfortable, and I didn’t want to wreck my teeth.

Chicago, IL – Police say the four suspects had pulled up to the home of officer Thomas Wortham’s parents at 85th Street and South King Drive in the Chatham neighborhood about 11:30 p.m. and tried to steal the motorcycle that Wortham had recently bought himself as a coming home present. He had just served his second tour of duty in Iraq.

The father grabbed his gun and came to the aid of his son, who had announced that he was a police officer, sources said. In the exchange of gunfire, Wortham was shot several times and two of the suspects were wounded, authorities said. Retired police officers are allowed to keep guns, officials said.

Full Story – HERE

Absolutely terrible

I don’t know how Daley thinks banning guns is going to prevent situations like this.  This goes without saying… but criminals will always be criminals.

I’m glad his Dad was there to put a few holes in at least 2 of the suspects anyway.  Not that that is any sort of acceptable trade off for losing a son.

In a documentary on the history of the cold war, this gem:

Those of you that have been in school since calculators were invented likely recognize it read upside down as BOOBLESS. One of the few funny things you can write on a calculator in an effort to make school more fun for you and your buddies.

Pretty funny that they snuck that into a serious documentary.

You can watch the documentary – HERE

Read the rest of this entry »

The New York Times invites members of the military who are serving, or have served, in Afghanistan to help us document the daily life of this war in photographs, video and writing. Take us on a tour of the forward operating base, introduce us to your friends, describe the hardships and rewards of deployment and the humor that helps you pass the time.

Full Story – HERE

I have a lot of respect for the “At War” section of the NY Times.

Never before in history have active-duty American troops been invited to march in the Victory Day parade, according to the United States military. The occasion is the 65th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, a date that carries an almost sacred meaning in Russia.

Ukrainian and Russian sailors wearing in World War II-era Soviet soldiers’ uniforms march during a parade rehearsal in the central Ukrainian city of Sevastopol, the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Anyone know what make / model guns those are?

Full Photo Set – HERE

On April 30th, the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam war I posted an article with links to a few picture sets.

Big Picture (one of my favorite photo blogs) came out with their set today (a week late slackers!), here is a sample:

OH NOES trigger discipline.

Full set – HERE

Full Metal Jacket vs StarWars movie mash up:

LOL R. Lee Ermey as Vader… Priceless.

A US Marines V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft kicks up dust as it takes off inside a US Marines base of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines in Marjah.

The Osprey is my favorite aircraft.

Check out the rest of the amazing photos – HERE

Full set – HERE

More info on the Vietnam war – HERE

Very powerful pictures.  A few in this set because very famous, even won Pulitzer prizes.  I remember when the first Rage Against The Machine album came out in 1992 with the picture of the burning monk on the cover.  Definitely their best album by the way.

I’m sure war hasn’t got any easier, but when I look at those pictures it’s amazing to see how much they did with NO modern technology. Sure makes how I spend my days look insignificant.  I have the utmost respect for anyone that has ever served, or is currently serving in the Military.

UPDATE: Steven S. notified me of lots more pictures just put up at another PLOG – HERE

These bedrooms once belonged to men and women who died fighting in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. These fallen men and women were blown up by IEDs, RPGs, hand grenades and suicide bombers. They were shot down in ambushes and by snipers. They died in helicopters, in humvees, and in tanks. It all took place thousands of miles away from home, and the country they fought to defend.

The purpose of this project is to honor these fallen – not simply as soldiers, marines, airmen and seamen, but as sons, daughters, sisters and brothers – and to remind us that before they fought, they lived, and they slept, just like us, at home.

Heartbreaking pictures, and stories.

Reminds me of the great quote… “All gave some, some gave all.”

Bedrooms Of The Fallen website – HERE

Ashley Gilbertson (the Photojournalist’s website) – HERE

The story that is before the picture set talks about the controversy surrounding the historic “Flag Raising” picture (shown on left) which was taken atop Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, on Feb. 23, 1945.  The photographer, Joe Rosenthal, won a Pulitzer Prize for the picture.

Make sure you check out the full picture set – HERE

More information on the Battle of Iwo Jima – HERE

National security is threatened by the sharp rise in obesity rates for young people over the last 15 years, the group Mission: Readiness contends. Weight problems are now the leading medical reason that recruits are rejected, the group says, and thus jeopardize the military’s ability to fill its ranks.

The solution? To throw some money at it of course…

The school lunch bill, currently awaiting a Senate vote, would establish healthier options for all foods in schools, including vending machine items. The legislation would spend $4.5 billion more over 10 years for nutrition programs.

Full Story – HERE

There are going to be a bunch of cranky kids in the school system if they are going to have to eat celery and baby carrots rather than Twinkies and Dunk-a-roos.

<tinfoil> I wonder if this pending bill is evidence of a planned draft? </tinfoil>

I talked about a similar story in November 2009 from the Military perspective – HERE

“Single kill is for newbs sir, we’re going for the trifecta”

Hat Tip: Gizmodo

In coordinated attacks, gunmen in armored cars and equipped with grenade launchers fought army troops this week and attempted to trap some of them in two military bases by cutting off access and blocking highways, a new tactic by Mexico’s organized criminals.

At least 18 alleged attackers were killed and one soldier wounded in the fighting that erupted Tuesday in half a dozen towns and cities in the states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon, the army said, topping off one of the deadliest months yet in a drug war that has raged for nearly 3 1/2 years.

Full Story at the LA Times – HERE

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18 Mexican gang members killed – one soldier wounded? Works for me… that means that either the Mexican soldiers are really good, or the gang members are comparable to the Afghan Army.  Regardless of the outcome, it’s frightening that the gangs have the audacity to attack their own country’s Army.

Check out the whole set – HERE

Quite a few of the pictures show Marines who have tattoos all down their arms.    Judging by the Marine Corps. tattoo policy, June 1, 2010 is the cuttoff in order to be grandfathered in, because the most recent version of the policy strictly prohibits “sleeve” tattoos.

I wonder what happens if someone violates the policy?  My guess is they get booted out.

There is an interesting article over at usmc.mil regarding the new tattoo policy.  It appears that having tattoos is a bad personal choice when it comes to your career, if you are in the USMC.

A U.S. Army soldier with the 293D Military Police Company, 97th Military Police Battalion, looks through the scope of his rifle from the top of an abandoned grain elevator building during patrol on the outskirts of the town of Kandahar, southern Afghanistan March 21, 2010. (REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov)

Lots more amazing photographs at The Boston Globe – HERE