It takes something special to track down an Americana photo. I think it's a lot of luck. It's persistently driving around, looking for nothing in particular. It's showing up at events here and there hoping for something.
I had the chance to cover a fallen law enforcement officers service today in Ashland. Somber event, for sure. Touching, too. Wasn't sure what I was going to get for photos.
Anyway, I was looking at the memorial garden just outside the Sheriff's Annex, where the event was being held. There was an elderly man walking alongside me, looking at the plaques of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. We started speaking. "I knew this fella," he said, pointing to a plaque. "He died in a shootout right up here on 250."
We spoke a bit longer before heading into the event. I always love getting those perspectives before one of these events, especially being new to town (5 weeks now!).
The ceremony started with the bagpipes, the National Anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance. And I took a quick glance back among the people in attendance (about 100), and I saw my elderly friend. His hand on his heart. A real unique, sad look on his face. And there was an overhead light a few feet ahead of him, bathing him in this soft glow.
I knew it was a good shot. One of those you can already see in print. And the photo was a little noisy (the room was a dungeon), but still striking. And it meant something to me, having spoken to him beforehand. It was a shot I might not have gotten if I hadn't talked with him before.
So I filed the photo along with a few others, finished up some other work things, and got to thinking as I was driving home.
It's Americana.
It's the Pledge of Allegiance. It's an old man from a small town (a former township trustee, too), going to a local fallen law enforcement service with his brother-in-law.
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