What is a Photojournalist? (short video version)

video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

Have you ever wondered about the why, how or what of being a photojournalist?
Please watch “What is a Photojournalist?” – the shortened version.

Also, if you’re not a subscriber please subscribe to my YouTube channel (it’s free and easy). Please follow this link, sign in to YouTube (or create an account) and hit SUBSCRIBE at www.youtube.com/newseagles
Enough for now,

Plano Independence Day Parade

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

See a larger version of this slideshow.

Participants and fans attend an Independence Day Parade on Independence Parkway in Plano on Saturday, July 4, 2009. The parade was sponsored by the Plano Early Lions Club.

Named in this slideshow are: Mike Lambert, Gene Fruth, J.D. Lawless, Shenna Lawless, Dale Lockhart, Debbie Beachum, Dan Reed, Bill Neisel, Morris McCann, Tye Phelps, Devin McDaniel, Karen Robertson, Donna Rowe, Kristen Tsu, Reilly Geary, Genevieve Paugh, Joy Sharp, Ellie Scowden, Emberlea Rhea and Michelle Rhea.

The assignment desk wanted us to include the capture time in the cutline for each image so the newspaper could make a region-wide timeline. Because it shows the quality of light at various intervals, I've included the time in each caption of this slideshow.

Happy return

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Dillon is surrounded by his family as he arrives at the Southeast Texas Regional Airport. Dillon is on leave for 30 days following his service with the U.S. Navy in Iraq.


Violet Dillon (left) hugs her grandson Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Dillon (right) as he arrives at the Southeast Texas Regional Airport on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2007.


Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Dillon (left) is thanked for his service by Patriot Guard rider Louis Stanley (right) as Shelly Sponsler, Dillon's sister (center), watches at the Southeast Texas Regional Airport.

There is justice

Church ordered to pay $10.9 million for funeral protest

I hope other families do the same and drain this group's financial ability to spread hatred and dishonor. I also hope other media outlets learn to focus on what's important.
 

In Memoriam: Lance Cpl. Jeremy W. Burris

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Windshield posters remind Patriot Guard riders why they ride as family and friends arrive at Cornerstone Church before funeral services for U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeremy W. Burris in Liberty on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007. The Marine was killed by a roadside bomb in the Al Anbar province of Iraq during combat operations.


Police and Patriot Guard riders prepare before funeral services for Lance Cpl. Jeremy W. Burris at Cornerstone Church. After surviving a roadside blast, Burris pulled two other Marines to safety from the damaged vehicle.


Patriot Guard riders assemble before funeral services for Lance Cpl. Jeremy W. Burris at Cornerstone Church. After saving fellow Marines, Burris returned to collect equipment when a second blast took his life.

Please read, "...Marine returned to Liberty" by Christine Rappleye.

Patriot Guard Riders' welcome

Music & photos by Mark M. Hancock / photos © The Beaumont Enterprise

The Patriot Guard Riders started as a counter-protest group for the families of fallen military personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan. The grassroots organization has quickly evolved into one that supports and honors all military personnel and veterans.

Now, local riders provide honor escorts for any fallen veterans and try to welcome home all active military personnel. At the Welcome Home celebrations, they also welcome home all Vietnam-era veterans, who didn't get a proper welcome and thanks for their service.

Spc. Kamisha Jane Block

photos & music by Mark M. Hancock / photos © The Beaumont Enterprise

U.S. Army Spc. Kamisha Jane Block, 20, of Vidor died on August 16, 2007 while serving as a military police officer in an area north of Baghdad, Iraq. She is the first female soldier from Southeast Texas to die in the line of duty.

Please read "...Tears still flow at funeral" by Mike D. Smith and see the Guest Book.

PFC Brandon Keith Bobb

PFC Brandon Keith Bobb's brother J.J. Bobb (right) talks during funeral services at the Church of Christ in Port Arthur on Saturday, July 28, 2007. PFC Bobb died July 17, 2007 in Iraq when an improvised explosive device exploded under a Humvee.

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise



PFC Brandon Keith Bobb's cousin Ashley Bobb recomposes during the funeral service at the Church of Christ.



Michael Bobb gives a hug to Paula Bobb-Miles, mother of PFC Brandon Keith Bobb, during funeral services at the Church of Christ.


Paula Bobb-Miles, mother of PFC Brandon Keith Bobb, receives her son's medals from Brigadier General Robert Hipwell during funeral services at the Church of Christ in Port Arthur. PFC Bobb was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.



U.S. Army pall bearers carry the body of PFC Brandon Keith Bobb out of the Church of Christ in Port Arthur after services.




Video © Mark M. Hancock

Video fades in from black. Click play button to begin.

Please read, "Pfc. Brandon Bobb eulogized..." by Rose Ybarra.

Lisa Beaulieu funeral

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Beaumont police officer Crystal Holmes repairs flower wreaths before the funeral service for Beaumont police officer Lisa Beaulieu at Oak Bluff Cemetery in Port Neches on Monday, April 30, 2007. Beaulieu died after she was struck by a vehicle while covering a major wreck.


The badge of Beaumont police Staff Sgt. Tim Ocnaschek is covered during the funeral service for Beaumont police officer Lisa Beaulieu. The cover reads, "Nemo me impune lacesit." In Latin it means "No one attacks me with impunity."



Patriot Guard riders escort the body of Beaumont police officer Lisa Beaulieu during the funeral service for at Oak Bluff Cemetery.


Police pall bearers carry the coffin of Beaumont police officer Lisa Beaulieu during funeral service for her at Oak Bluff Cemetery.


A Beaumont Police Department honor guard presents arms during the funeral service for Beaumont police officer Lisa Beaulieu.


Beaumont police officer Lisa Beaulieu's mother Gloria Prince (right) and stepfather Gary Prince (left) react as Beaulieu's badge number is retired during her funeral.



Beaumont police officer Rick Boaz (center) and other officers salute during the funeral service for Beaumont police officer Lisa Beaulieu.


Sgt. Josey Johnson III with the Texas State Guard plays Taps during the funeral service for Beaumont police officer Lisa Beaulieu at Oak Bluff Cemetery in Port Neches.

Sgt. Daniel W. Winegeart funeral

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Patriot Guard members prepare for the funeral of Sgt. Daniel W. Winegeart at the First Baptist Church of Kountze in Kountze, Texas on Thursday, Oct. 26 2006. Spc. Winegeart was serving his third deployment in Iraq when he died. He was posthumously given the rank of sergeant.


Law enforcement officials ensure unlawful protests wouldn't happen during the funeral of Sgt. Daniel W. Winegeart at the First Baptist Church of Kountze.
Members of a Kansas church planned to protest at the funeral. However, a city ordinance requires a peaceful protest permit application at least two days before the planned protest date. The church hadn't applied for the permit by the deadline for the funeral.


Patriot Guard members form a barrier to protect mourners from potential protesters at the First Baptist Church of Kountze during the funeral of Sgt. Daniel W. Winegeart. The Houston Patriot Guard group was halted en route by severe weather.


An honor guard detachment of the 5th Special Forces Ranger Group of the U.S. Army march through the rain of Hurricane Paul into position during the funeral of Sgt. Daniel W. Winegeart at the First Baptist Church of Kountze. Sgt. Winegeart was serving with the 5th Special Forces Ranger Group when he died in Iraq.


An honor guard detachment of the 5th Special Forces Ranger Group stands guard in the rains of Hurricane Paul during the funeral of Sgt. Daniel W. Winegeart at the First Baptist Church of Kountze.

Please read the story about the funeral by F.A. Krift. Please also read a statement from Terri Sue Winegeart, Sgt. Winegeart's mother, and "Mother mourns soldier she says never lost smile" by F.A. Krift.
 

Patriot Guard Riders

Renee Simons of Lampasas, Texas prepares her bike as a Patriot Guard Rider in the Home Depot parking lot in Beaumont on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2006. More than 200 riders from Texas and Louisiana provided a barrier for the family of Staff Sgt. Edward Charles Reynolds, Jr. from eight protestors from a Baptist church in Kansas.

Photos © Mark M. Hancock / NewsEagles


Patriot Guard Riders gather in the Home Depot parking lot before they ride to honor the soldier killed in Iraq.


Motorcycle riders wearing different club colors combine to form the Patriot Guard Riders as they listen to ride instructions before the funeral in Beaumont.


Patriot Guard Riders listen to ride instructions before riding from the Home Depot parking lot to the funeral of Staff Sgt. Edward Charles Reynolds, Jr. in Beaumont.


Carrie Johnson of Orange waits for other Patriot Guard Riders to arrive in the Home Depot parking lot.


Renee Simons of Lampasas, Texas reflects on her gas tank as she prepares her bike as a Patriot Guard Rider in the Home Depot parking lot.


Patriot Guard Riders fill most of the Home Depot parking lot before riding to the funeral of Staff Sgt. Edward Charles Reynolds, Jr.


Milton McKinney of Houston (left) helps orchestrate the Patriot Guard Riders as they leave to provide a barrier of honor.


Military veterans within the Patriot Guard Riders line the road with American flags to provide a barrier to honor the family of the fallen soldier.


Patriot Guard Riders provide a barrier to honor as family and friends arrive for the funeral.


Patriot Guard Riders reflect off vehicles as they provide a barrier on both sides of the road to honor the family of Staff Sgt. Edward Charles Reynolds, Jr. as his family and friends arrive before the funeral.


Patriot Guard Riders place their hands over their hearts as the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Edward Charles Reynolds, Jr. arrive before his funeral.


Patriot Guard Riders provide a barrier to honor before the funeral.


Patriot Guard Riders provide a barrier to honor the family of Staff Sgt. Edward Charles Reynolds, Jr. before his funeral in Beaumont.

Please see additional photos at Fayrouz's Chaldean Thoughts blog and/or read "Solemn salute to Southeast Texan who died in Iraq" by Christine Rappleye and "Counterprotesters outnumber funeral picketers from Kansas" by Rolando Garcia.