photography from the Chesapeake Bay watershed by Bill Emory
July 4 Monticello
The Honorable John Charles Thomas delivers the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence
I had planned to skip the celebration this year. But when the 4th arrived, I could not resist.Walked up the mountain via Mulberry Row.(can someone please recount the history of this structure?)Old Line Fife and Drum Corps prepareSecurity and retired Navy were there (notice cellphone people in background)so many cellphonesThe President of UVA, James E. Ryan, spoke. Ryan was introduced by Mr. Tobias Dengel, Chair of the Foundation Board of Trusteesthe Charlottesville Band playedTroop 75 was on hand to present the colors.The sun was intenseJudges Urbanski and Kavanaugh conducted the naturalization ceremony swearing in 50+ new citizens. The comments of the new citizens are the heart of the day. Invariably, this gathering makes me proud, makes me cry.
I stumbled off the track to success in 1968, started chasing shadows that summer. Since then, In addition to farm-laborer and newspaper photographer my occupational incarnations include dishwasher, janitor, retail photo clerk, plumber, HVAC repairman, auto mechanic, CAT scan technologist, computer worker and politico (whatever it takes to buy a camera.) I am on the road to understanding black and white photography.
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