This is the second year that I have been truly honored to be a part of an event to remember the life of an American hero, Corey Goodnature.

Chief Warrant Officer Three Corey Goodnature was the Flight Lead Pilot of an aircraft, that on June 28, 2005 answered an urgent radio call for assistance from a team of Navy SEALs that came under intense fire in the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan. Two aircraft departed their firebase with a SEAL security team in an attempt to rescue the stricken SEALs. During landing, the lead aircraft was hit by Taliban and Al-Qaeda fire and crashed on the mountainside below. All eight aircrew along with eight fellow Navy SEALs were instantly killed.. Corey and his fellow soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice in an attempt to save others from harm. He and his crew responded to the challenge that day because that was their very nature. He’d rather die than quit, and he proved it that day. The 160th motto — “Night Stalkers Don’t Quit!” — is how Corey lived his life. His devotion to that ethos and his fellow warriors was embodied in his death.

Corey is remembered every year with a Golf Tournament in his name. The purpose of the event is to raise money for a scholarship fun to assist high school graduates further their mission of education.

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Brynn and I were invited by Scott and Jen Elder, to participate in Rochester Carefest 2009 by giving of our time and talent in photography. We began the day early at Century High School where volunteers cleaned out lockers, cleaned walls and desks and chairs. We moved on to Kellogg Middle School where they were cleaning out the Media Center, Computer Labs, lockers, chairs, classrooms and more. We left Kellogg and journeyed out to southwest Rochester to Seasons Hospice, where many projects were happening, painting, windows, library etc... and we ended our time at a residence of an elderly couple who was having carpet torn out and replaced and landscaping work done.

It was a great experience to be a part of, just knowing how much the workers were helping so many in need. It was a blessing to us to be able to witness it and capture it for others to see and appreciate. I am posting this video that was created from our images along with images from several other photographers. I will post individual images that Brynn and I created a little later.

Delightful!!! That is one of the words which describes this beautiful couple. Rock solid, everlasting... the list goes on.

Nathan is like literally a rocket scientist. He is super smart, meticulous and extremely precise. Then there is Sarah. She is classic, to the center core of her being good, and she is in love with Nathan. Nathan is the softly spoken one who is in love right back with her.

Brynn and I shot this wedding in Bloomington, at the Richfield Lutheran Church. Nathan's father Reverend Tom Koelln, co-officiated the ceremony. Nathan and Sarah have such a large support group of family and friends who gathered to celebrate their joy.

We photographed Sarah and her bridesmaids at Minnehaha Falls Park, where Nathan proposed to Sarah. Then Nathan followed with the groomsmen to see his bride. Her bridesmaids led him with eyes closed across the bridge to have his first sight of Sarah in her vintage wedding dress. Sarah cried, and I saw a tear in Nathan's eyes too. We did some fun shots and headed to the church to do some photographs in the front of the church. Once the ceremony began, Brynn had the D300 and second shot the ceremony. She nailed the shots I needed her to, and got more to boot!

The reception was at Buck Hill and once we arrived, Nathan, Sarah, Brynn and I drove to the top of the hill to do some couple shots. Crazy cool view of Burnsville and Lakeville and who knows what other towns we could see from atop of the ski hill. The meal was delicious with amazing toasts to the bride and groom. A surfer safari type group played some darn good tunes, dancing, bouquet tossing and garter obtaining moments as well.

Nathan and Sarah are definitely one of my favorite couples ever! I feel extremely blessed to have been a part of their day.

More images to follow...