And since hundreds of mourners had come to pay their respects the crowd was so large that only family members, close friends and dignitaries were allowed in the church while many others including myself stood outside in the cold, ice and snow and listened to the funeral service by way of loud speakers.
And when the service was over '... and all had been said and all had been done ...' and led by a procession of motorcycle cops the hearse began its final journey back into the city over the bridge and by way Pennsylvania Avenue passed in front of the US Capitol. And shortly after the procession had begun I, too, but on foot and with my cameras in hand began my trek back over the bridge toward Capitol Hill ... wishing that one of the policepersons who'd noticed me at the funeral would offer me a ride. And since I had not enough money to catch the subway home I remember that I walked in front of the US Capitol and across the National Mall to my apartment at 1500 Massachusetts Avenue on that cold, snowy and icy February day ... realizing that every step along the way that as a black man even when I attempted to pay respects to a 'fallen hero' I was still regarded as a 'suspect'.
The links to the right will either connect you to other photographic projects in connection with 11sep01 'tragedy' or to organizations that provide support services to the victims or that honor 'fallen heroes'.
