Yesterday at the Office: The Lucky Few

A few months back The Virginian-Pilot writer Mike Hixenbaugh and I began working on documenting the story of four local D-Day Veterans. We met with each of them while they prepared for their last visit to Normandy, France for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. Unfortunately, as the time to depart to France came closer, two of our veterans decided they were not going to be able to make the long flight. 

That said, we moved forward and followed our two remaining veterans to Normandy where we shadowed each of them as they made their way through the French countryside. Once in Normandy, they were immediately greeted by crowds of admirers, some even held parades in their honor. 

Throughout the week they each engaged on their own missions. Norwood Thomas retraced his steps to his drop site and touched the sand on Omaha Beach. Grant "Gully" Gullickson made his way to the English Channel where the ship he was stationed on, the USS Corry, took on a direct hit that sank the destroyer during the D-Day invasion. 

Tonight, you can hear their stories in their own words. 

Come out to the Virginia Beach Convention Center and relive history from four soldiers who were there, Cary Jarvis, Norwood Thomas, Grant "Gully" Gullickson, and Eddie Shames. You can purchase reprints and/or a limited edition book at tonight's special event and have it signed by Jarvis, Thomas, Gullickson and Shames. 

The images below are examples of some of the work produced during my time with the veterans. 

All images are © The Virginian-Pilot 2014 : for more of my work visit my tumblr feed.