Unexpected Tragedy

We who wear or have worn a military uniform for any length of time…most of us anyway…have learned to deal with various forms of adversity such as having a comrade injured or killed. This happens both during peacetime and during war. It's when tragedy strikes at unexpected times, under circumstances when such should never happen, that coping with these losses becomes harder.

The recent crash of a racing plane during the Reno Nevada Air Races, where nine people lost their lives and scores of others were injured, is a good example of what I'm talking about. I'm a non-professional photographer and over the years I have followed the daily lives of many professionals in the industry, by reading and commenting from time to time on their photo blogs. I have come to consider these folks as friends…virtual as that friendship may be. Two of those individuals were at the Reno Race taking photographs for their business clients, and for themselves, and while both were not injured I am sure they have been adversely affected in many ways.

One of them is a strong believer in the value of religious faith in our lives, and his photo posts are usually accompanied with words of inspiration. The other is equally passionate about his photo profession, but seems less open about his religious faith. For both of them, however, their week at the air races was supposed to be educational for those attending "workshops", and it was supposed to be an exciting and fun time to make photos of vintage aircraft that would be impossible to do collectively, under normal circumstances. In short it was supposed to be a festive week throughout, but it did not turn out to be so.