In memory of all those that have served and answered the call of the sunset.

Sunset Calls

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,and in the morning.

We will remember them 

Today would of been my fathers birthday. Born on the 9th July 1920 in Tarkastad in the Cape province, he lived through many advances and changes that the world has experienced over the last century. The most profound event that influenced and shaped his adult life was his military service during the 2nd World War. From the scorching North African Desert to the bitter cold climate of Europe under most pressing circumstances, these events would dominate his life to the extent that even many years after his discharge, he was still a soldier at heart. I grew up hearing war stories and experiences that he had gone through that I must admit, must of been terrifying for any young man. Things like lying in a bed in a tent on a temporary airforce base whilst the Stuka bombers are dive bombing the base, not knowing if the next bomb will land on you or not. Many different events like this that I fortunately never had to experience and I wish for my son to never have to live through.

Driving home I wondered what image I could capture that could serve as a worthy image that I could dedicate to my father on what would of been his 93rd birthday. It suddenly dawned on me... the memorial at the M.O.T.H.'s Dickie Fritz Shellhole in Edenvale. They have a Lockheed Ventura and a Puma helicoptor as well as some canons and a tank.

When a soldier passes, it is referred to as the sunset call and what a more appropriate image would it be if I could capture the Ventura with the sun setting close by. I raced down to the Shellhole, quickly obtained permission to shoot some images and managed a few shots before the light was gone.

In memory of you on your birthday dad. Happy Birthday.