This photo was taken February 22, 2004 at George Washington's statue in the Mason's Cove, Flushing Meadows Corona Park at the cusp of day and night Washington is attired as a backwoodsman in Revolutionary War era buckskins covered by a colonial tunic. He holds the gavel of a presiding officer (or perhaps a Mason's maul) in his right hand, and has the overall look of a man in earnest. The tree tops and Unisphere begin to glow with a reddish hue as daylight wanes and sky streaks make an appearance.

The year 2004 marks a conjunction of auspicious dates in the august life and times of George Washington. In April 1754, as a 22 year old captain of Virginia militia, George Washington fired a shot that started the French and Indian War; the French were defeated and a century of bloody conflict between Canada and America ended. 2004 is the 250th anniversary of this incident. The 1939 New York World's Fair celebrated the 150th anniversary of George Washington's inauguration in New York City as the first president of the United States of America. April 2004 is the 65th and 40th anniversaries of the two New York Worlds' Fairs (1939 & 1964) that were held at Flushing Meadows in homage to Washington's first inauguration.

Only a few minutes transpired between these two photographs. In the interim, the horizon turned blood red. Could this be some supernal message arriving on the occasion of this seminal date in history? If so, what can it mean? And why is it sanguine in nature? Maybe it's a cheerful message indicating we have a bright and colorful future. Then again, the red could be a caution, telling us to stop our bullying ways. Perhaps the red signifies a heavenly tribute to fallen American soldiers; after all, George founded the American army, and was its first field commander as well as its first Commander-In-Chief. What if he's blushing? You folks are embarrassing me with your foolish antics. I can't look any of my friends in the face. Whatever the meaning, George seems determined to have his say. One can almost hear the gavel striking the podium and the president's booming voice, "My fellow Americans ..."