The Veteran by stray_shooter

The Veteran

I have great respect and appreciation for those who have served their time in the military. They are welcomed and treated as heroes within the motorcycle enthusiast community.
Excellent shot! I attend a veteran's breakfast once a month, and I treasure my time talking with the WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans whose service meant that I, too, had an opportunity to serve.

And the folks I've met from the motorcycle community here in western Ohio are extremely supportive of the veterans.
April 14th, 2014  
NIce shot Ron. I was called up for 2 years National Service but was not sent to Viet Nam. A lot of the guys I knew in the army went. When my time finished, I signed off and have had nothing to do with the services since. Different strokes for different folks.
April 14th, 2014  
@bernicrumb Thanks, Berni. And thanks for your support and involvement too.
April 14th, 2014  
@terryliv I fell into the lottery system which was created just after mandatory service around the Viet Nam war time. They put your birthday into little balls and picked the balls just like the lottery. I found myself wishing that I had been a Feb 29 birthday baby. Fortunately for me, my number (although low) was never called. I'd have been a terrible soldier.
April 14th, 2014  
@stray_shooter Same system of birthdays here too Ron. And yes I was a terrible soldier so they made me an officer. Ha Ha Ha
April 14th, 2014  
Another great candid shot Ron, great use of natural light on the bikers vest, lovely depth of field giving that subtle detail of the background bikes, superb shot Ron;)
April 14th, 2014  
This is a really interesting photo Ron, I love these kind of shots! Interesting story about the lottery system too.
April 15th, 2014  
Great capture!FAV*)
April 15th, 2014  
I like the way this picture's composed, if indeed you were highlighting the Vietnam Vet patch and its influence on this man's story. The DOF's effect on the bikes is really good, blurring them just enough so that they don't steal away the attention meant for the Vet. Well done, in my opinion.
April 15th, 2014  
Байкер? Смелые люди! мотоцикл для них все...
April 16th, 2014  
@terryliv Same criteria for officer selection in the two services too, I see!
@pcoulson Thanks, Peter. I knew you'd zero right in on the bikes!
@marmaladeskyes Thank You, Tracy. I love doing candids that seem to tell a story. Shoot, for all I know he could be an axe murderer looking over potential victims. Probably not.
@katerinatina Thanks for the fav, Katterina! Really tickles me when that happens. :-)
April 17th, 2014  
Truth be told, Denise, I was not quite confident that the lighting would work out quite that well. He was standing in the mixed light, so I just gave it the ol' what-the-hell token attempt. The background blur and positioning of the bikes was intended, however. The way the light fell turned out to be a bonus. Sometimes luck is on your side........or so I hear. ;-)

We're going to have to find some place to have more private conversations - that pesky Poppo keeps snooping on us!
April 17th, 2014  
@simta Это тонкая грань между храбрым в глупо. Я могу сказать что, потому что я также ездить на мотоцикле.
April 17th, 2014  
@stray_shooter I HEARD THAT TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 17th, 2014  
@terryliv Damn - this is like having a little pesky brother all over again!! Can a guy get a little alone time here?!?
April 17th, 2014  
@stray_shooter That's it!!! NO JERKY FOR YOU!!!!!! (I'm the Jerky Nazi)
April 17th, 2014  
Do I say what a lovely and meaningful photo and story you shared (you certainly did!) or laugh at the comments as it digressed into mayhem?! I loed it all...looks like a fun group you surround yourself with, a few whom I know already!
May 9th, 2014  
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