Wakeboarder Isaac Herrera and The Quarry Cable Park and Grille

Have you ever been to a wakeboard park? I never had … in fact, I wasn’t really even aware of this gem in my own backyard.

The Quarry Cable Park and Grille, 5517 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, is one of the few cable wake parks in our state and has stirred up quite a bit of interest in the sport.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I interviewed 18-year-old Isaac Herrera for our local paper. He had earned a spot to compete for The Quarry in the World Wake Association Wake Park National Championship in Waco, Texas.

The Quarry opened only a year ago, so the German-engineered, full-size cable system has seen novices grow into competitive riders in a relatively short amount of time.

Herrera is one of them. He said that the skills he already possessed as an experienced snowboarder were easily transferable to wakeboarding, which made riding the waves an excellent offseason alternative.

Little did he know that after trying cable wakeboarding last year at a friend’s suggestion he eventually would go on to work for The Quarry, practice fiercely and compete even more intensely.

His dedication paid off and this weekend, after placing in the top three positions over three local competitions, Herrera will have an opportunity to showcase his tricks at the national level.

While he said he is excited just to be able to go to Texas, he also said that he was thrilled to see his friends and teammates compete as well as watch The Quarry professional Timmy Burnier complete his runs as well.

Quarry co-owner Pat McGinnis said he has seen a marked improvement in Herrera’s riding skills over the last year, and insisted Herrera and the rest of the team going to the National Championships were dedicated workers and riders of whom he was extremely proud.

I was able to capture Herrera showing off some serious skills on the water last week. He made the tricks look effortless, but the clean execution belied the grit and athleticism required to land the maneuvers.

Besides his wakeboarding acumen, Herrera was a genuinely humble young man who deflected attention from himself and praised everyone who supported him and encouraged him.

Here is a link to The Woodstock Independent article: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2g9VzzTGAY8amhXTVVfcnk4cmc/view?usp=sharing

Good luck, Isaac!

Traveling Vietnam Wall, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient U.S. Army Sgt. Allen Lynch

This weekend, a good friend asked me to visit the traveling Vietnam Wall presented by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and hosted by the DeKalb chapter of VietNow. He has been involved with bringing the Wall to Sycamore in the past and told me that I had to photograph it at night, so I did.

Thirty-five years ago, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund unveiled its product – a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.  This Wall, unlike the permanent Wall in our nation’s capital, was designed to travel across the nation, providing healing to those who returned home to a harsh and often cruel political climate and to allow more accessibility to those who cannot visit the Wall that preserves the names of loved ones who never returned home alive.

Over 400 cities and towns throughout the nation have hosted the chevron-shaped wall. The town of Sycamore alone has hosted the Wall three times – once every ten years – beginning in 1997.

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Allen Lynch spoke during one of the nights. He praised the Wall for its ability to not only educate, but also to heal. He spoke of the importance of the mission of Vietnam Veterans – to never let what happened to them happen again. He exhorted the community and our nation for welcoming our veterans home in ways the Vietnam Veterans never experienced. He didn’t speak of his own bravery – but, instead, expressed gratitude for those currently serving our nation – including the members of the United States Army who presented the Battlefield Cross.

In 1970 President Richard Nixon formally presented Lynch, who served with Company D, 1^st Battalion of the 12^th Cavalry Regiment, 1^st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) from May 1967 through June 1968, the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valiant actions.

Lynch’s website details his actions:

 For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. SGT Lynch (then Sp4) distinguished himself while serving as a radiotelephone operator with Company D. While serving in the forward element on an operation near the village of My An, his unit became heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force. Quickly and accurately assessing the situation, SGT Lynch provided his commander with information which subsequently proved essential to the unit's successful actions. Observing three wounded comrades Lying exposed to enemy fire, SGT Lynch dashed across 50 meters of open ground through a withering hail of enemy fire to administer aid. Reconnoitering a nearby trench for a covered position to protect the wounded from intense hostile fire, he killed two enemy soldiers at point blank range. With the trench cleared, he unhesitatingly returned to the fire-swept area three times to carry the wounded men to safety. When his company was forced to withdraw by the superior firepower of the enemy, SGT Lynch remained to aid his comrades at the risk of his life rather than abandon them. Alone, he defended his isolated position for two hours against the advancing enemy. Using only his rifle and a grenade, he stopped them just short of his trench, killing five. Again, disregarding his safety in the face of withering hostile fire, he crossed 70 meters of exposed terrain five times to carry his wounded comrades to a more secure area. Once he had assured their comfort and safety, SGT Lynch located the counterattacking friendly company to assist in directing the attack and evacuating the three casualties. His gallantry at the risk of his life is in the highest traditions of the military service. SGT Lynch has reflected great credit on himself, the 12th Cavalry and the U.S. Army.

Near My An (2), Binh Dinh province, Republic of Vietnam, 15 December 1967.

Another good friend, Paul Turnbaugh, artist and owner of WildHeartland Inc. who specializes in military art and paintings of heartland Americana (check out his Facebook page here), knew Allen Lynch and presented him with yet another print featuring the iconic Bald Eagle. He also got me some special privileges to take these photos of Lynch – and then, took my camera and photographed my own family with Allen Lynch – Thank you, Paul!

So the DeKalb chapter of VietNow welcomed the Wall, bringing with it comfort, peace and much-needed appreciation -- healing moments for veterans and civilians alike.

Flags lining the way to the Wall -- each flag represents a Vietnam POW/MIA.

Members of the United States Army preparing to form the Battlefield Cross

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Allen Lynch

Sgt. Lynch with members of the United States Army

Artist Paul Turnbauh, Lynch and members of the United States Army

Lynch and the Sycamore Police Department

My good friend (who let me know about this Wall) and Lynch ~ both smiling after a long conversation.

Same friend ... always giving my girls opportunities to appreciate our veterans.

Thanks, Paul Turnbaugh, for taking this photo of my husband and our girls with Allen Lynch -- I'm representing the EAA Warbirds, too;)

Battlefield Cross

POW/MIA table

Two men, smoking cigars ... Paul *cough*

The Traveling Vietnam Wall at night

Luminaries

We found our friend's uncle's name 

A family reunion ... that wasn't mine

Every so often, I do a photo shoot that warms my heart and secures a place in my memory.

Such was the case this weekend.

I had the pleasure of spending most of the day with one family, photographing individual families, couples, children, grandchildren, godchildren, really, just a whole bunch of love.

From the minute I walked into the crowd of thirty (which then became 80), I felt like family.

My husband is from a large family, so I appreciate large-family dynamics and the special bond amongst cousins. It is beautiful to watch adult siblings get together, be goofy with one another and enjoy these fleeting moments hearkening back to long, carefree childhood days spent side by side.

This gathering was no different – the family has planted seeds and rooted itself all over the world, actually. While the siblings had not been together in the same place for five years or so, that love and friendship that one can find only with brothers and sisters was present – and I was able to capture some of those moments this weekend.

Very soon, each will be back in his or her respective states. One will be deployed. Several will head to college. Kids will be back to school. Life will go back to normal, but the memories made for this beautiful family – together in one place – will live on.

I was overwhelmed with emotion as I left. One sibling and his wife have been especially dear friends of ours. After they moved away, our lives very rarely intersect in person, but, when either of them is in the area, they routinely make it a point to spend time with my family. I am blessed beyond belief to have them in my life. To have met all of the incredible brothers, sisters, in-laws, parents and nieces and nephews and to be able to put faces with names was so extraordinarily special for me. I loved every conversation I had. Through my lens, I watched this family and the gentle kindness that is present within each of them – they are remarkable people, every one of them.

They affect change in others. They minister to others. They live lives of service. They are beautiful.

When I hugged them and walked away, I felt as though I were saying goodbye to family that I have known forever. But my heart was heaviest knowing that my dear friends would once again be hundreds of miles away … living a life they were destined to lead.

~Wishing all of you safe travels!