She is a Wounded Warrior......by Joyce Oroz

Am I the only American who sniffs back tears when the Star Spangled Banner is being sung? Maybe it’s the people waving flags, the marching bands, the crowd or simply the fact that it’s the Fourth of July. And then along comes another float with the loud speaker disseminating a beautiful rendition of God Bless America. I’m choked up all over again. 

I love watching the dancing horses, kiddies, ponies, hot cars, a wounded warrior rolling along in her wheelchair—the works. But why was I the only one to stand up when a marching band played our National Anthem? No hats came off? Maybe my tears are for things lost, maybe for good things I hope will come.

My husband and I had a wonderful place to sit. Gina and Danny had set out chairs along the sidewalk in front of “Just G’s Boutique” in Morgan Hill.

The parade finished, we said goodbye to family and friends and began our mile hike back to the car. 

Along the way I recognized a parade participant, the lady in the wheelchair. She was talking to another lady in a wheelchair and I happened to hear the word, “Afghanistan.” We kept walking for another block, but something made me turn around and go back. I planned to say to the woman, “Thank you for your service.” 

As I stood by the ladies waiting for a break in their conversation, a marching band heading back to their bus suddenly began to play—full throttle. The woman immediately bent forward, head down, hands over ears. Instinctively I wrapped my body over her, hugging her tight as she shivered. As the music faded, she began telling herself out loud that it was OK, and that the parade was over. I stepped back, she saw my camera and gave a brave smile. I don’t know her name. I know that she is suffering, and I know how brave she is. 

I am reminded that people like this let people like us enjoy the Fourth of July. God bless our soldiers!

Artist of the Month.......by Joyce oroz

By popular demand, David Coombes is the Dragonfly Gallery

“Artist of the Month” for July. He is an active AHA member, a seriously wonderful photographer, and an all around nice guy. Need something hung at the gallery? Ask David. Everyone does.

Now I will turn you over to David, who will tell us how he became a photographer.

It all began a long, long time ago on a planet far, far away, when I discovered that my parents owned a Brownie 44 box camera. I was 5 years old and it was fun seeing everything upside down in the viewfinder. I used to play with it until they discovered that it actually had an undeveloped film in it. It was even more fun when they had it developed – nothing memorable but I was hooked. I got my first camera, a Kodak 35mm Instamatic, on my 10th birthday and I still have the black and white snaps from the first film in a scrapbook. Since that time, I usually have a camera close at hand – you never know when that perfect shot will present itself.

As far as equipment goes, technology has moved on a bit from the Box Brownie, so my next camera was a Praktica LTL3, followed by a Canon AE1, then on the a Canon Rebel and then on to a variety of Canon Digital SLRs. Just switched to a 5d mk III. All lenses are Canon EF.

Having spent a lot of time photographing people and many friends’ weddings, I have generally moved away from humans as subject matters and now focus (no pun intended) on wildlife, nature, sunsets and landscapes – as well as the occasional trains, planes and automobiles.

The photos that are in the galleries contain the copyright text which will not be on the ordered photos. All photos are for sale and can be custom ordered as matted prints in luster, gloss or as stretched canvas.

Thank you, David, for sharing your story.

To see David’s work, toddle on down to the Dragonfly Gallery at

380 Blohm Ave. in down town Aromas—open 1-4:00

Thursdays and Fridays or by appointment. 831-224-8888

If you would like to donate a few hours working at the gallery, we would welcome you aboard. Your community service might be the pleasant distraction you are looking for.