But sound aloud the praises, and give the victor-crown
To our noble-hearted Firemen, who fear not danger’s frown.
~Frederic G.W. Fenn, “Ode to our Firemen,” 1878

What a fantastic afternoon and evening.  One couldn’t ask for a better group of friends .  Fun was definitely had by all.  From the waterball, redneck hayride, great food, volleyball, bon-fire and Harley rides ( okay, that was my fun…thanks Lenny for allowing me to use your helmet and to your friends for making me smile) ….Val and John you throw one heck of a party!  Thank you for sharing your  day and for welcoming me into your home and barn!

One thing about being a photographer is that we can sit back and reflect after looking at a photo.  It’s what we do.  We see more than a snapshot …we see a moment that holds a story.  These photos caught me off guard.   So many of us appreciate what firefighters, police and paramedics do heroically and many times without thanks.  I look at these next two photos and realize how heroic they actually are.  A father and his teenage son (who is also a firefighter) and a father and his baby girl.   They risk their life everyday for us….and at home they have a family just like you and I.  Never once stopping to think I could be taken away from that family….they just do it.  Pretty amazing.