We don't take many of these. Not because we have a problem with them but typically a photographer goes on base to do a group of marines, soldiers, sailors or airmen all at once. Usually at basic training. We have a big air base nearby and we occasionally take photos for the Air Force people.

A woman called the studio to ask if we could take a picture of her son in his uniform. She apologised for the short notice but he came home unexpectedly and would only be here this weekend. I said ok and we squeezed them in at lunch time. The Marine, Paul, was going overseas and wanted to give his mother a photo for Christmas. He seemed very young and she was obviously very proud oh him. This photo was the one he picked for her from a series. The flag background was added from a stock file photo. After I printed the photos, I transferred the set to a photo CD and gave it to her with the 8x10's. She asked how much she owed me and I told her we don't charge the marines for photos. She hugged me, cried and hugged her son, I went to the back room and took my time refilling my coffee cup, when I returned they were gone.