A Wish of a Lifetime

Blaine Logan is a 90-year-old WWII vet with the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen… A resident of Forest City, NC, Blaine is quite the legend around town. “Everybody knows about Mr. Blaine,” one of his traveling companions told me.. For over half a century, Blaine and his brother ran and operated an ever-sucessful hardware store, known quite famously on East Main as Logan Hardware Company.

If this weren’t legacy enough, Blaine had also served in the Army Air Force for three years in the European Theatre during World War II. He was later named president of the Base Air Depot II Wharton England Division of the WWII Association during the 50th anniversary reunion in England. It was at this meeting, that both he and President George H.W. Bush were scheduled to speak. But at the last minute, Bush Sr. couldn’t make it. He sent Blaine a letter instead…

A little over a week ago, I read the most random email I’d ever received – one that I’m still thanking God for not sending to the spam folder immediately. It was an email about a Mr. Blaine Logan, whose one bucket list wish was to meet the man who’d sent him that letter so many years ago.. Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime was working alongside Brookdale Senior Living to make this wish come true, and they were scrambling to find someone to photograph it. You know, it’s funny… Seconds before reading the message, I had no idea I’d soon wish myself.. To photograph something as beautiful as this.

On Monday, I dressed as corporate as I could (turns out you can’t wear PJ’s to meet a past president) and made my way to George Bush Sr.’s Houston office. It was after checking in with the Secret Service that who should walk in but the last man on the moon, Mr. Gene Cernan. We made small talk about the extreme cell phone dependency of my generation, and of course, photography, as I basically carried every piece of equipment I owned with me. And then, after being ushered into the lobby, I had an honor equally as amazing.. Meeting Blaine. His handshake was firm, and was the kind that doesn’t let you go for a solid minute.

Things were running a bit behind schedule, so as we waited, Blaine’s son adjusted his father’s tie and suit jacket. Blaine looked sharp. And though tired from travel, Blaine looked happy. Which made my heart so full.. Minutes later, we were given the go-ahead to step inside the office. Blaine was wheeled in. And George’s face lit up. He extended his hand, and Blaine held it… Shorter introductions were made between the president and Blaine’s three traveling companions, and then myself. I believe my exact words were, “Alyse French. It’s very, VERY nice to meet you.” LAME, I know. ;)

Yes, the meeting was short. The conversation turned quickly from which division both Blaine and George fought in during the war, to the verbal admiration of George’s rainbow-striped socks. But in those 10 minutes, I became more fully aware than I’ve ever been about what a gift we have to offer as photographers. How I, of all people, was privy to such an incredible introduction of such incredible people is beyond me. But I am beyond blessed to have been given the honor of documenting it. And the honor of being able to gift that back to Blaine and his family…