Historic Military Promotion at the Liberty Bell | Brig. Gen. Michele Lo Bianco
On a warm summer evening in Philadelphia, the nation’s history and one Airman’s journey met at the Liberty Bell. Brigadier General Michele Lo Bianco’s promotion from Colonel to Brigadier General was more than a military milestone — it was a celebration of grit, service, and the people who made the journey with her.
The ceremony took place at Independence National Historic Park, an iconic venue whose imperfect-yet-perfect bell became a fitting symbol for the day. As Lieutenant General Rebecca J. Sonkiss, the presiding officer, shared, “It represents liberty. It demands vigilance, leadership, character — and Michele represents all of those things. The journey is not forged in comfort. It’s forged in challenge.”
For Michele (affectionally known as “Lobo”), this moment came during a season of personal transition. Her husband Marcus, a retired Air Force Colonel, recently stepped away from active duty. Their three children — Charlotte, a competitive dancer; Vivienne, a travel soccer player; and Rocco, an energetic Disney fan — are thriving back in New Jersey while Michele works in Washington, D.C. during the week. Balancing career and family hasn’t been easy, but as she told me before the ceremony, “I wasn’t going to do a ceremony, but I know this is a big moment, so I need you to capture it for me.”
Throughout the evening, the speech painted a vivid portrait of a leader defined by both authority and compassion. Michele’s path wasn’t straightforward — at the beginning of her career she was measured a fraction of an inch too short to attend pilot training. From her start as a weather officer to commanding the Air Force’s largest mobility assets, her career has been marked by moral leadership, mission success, and tireless care for her Airmen and their families.
One of the most moving moments came when her husband and children stood beside her to pin on her first star. LT Gen Sonkiss honored them as much as her: “We’re going to honor not just you today, but your family… they give you strength, and you give them just as much.”
The ceremony closed with a reminder that leadership is about responsibility, not rank — and that Michele’s fingerprints are on the lives of hundreds she has mentored along the way. As the final words put it:
“Today we recognize not just your rise, but the mountain that you've climbed with courage in your heart, laughter in your home, and a mission in your soul. You've carried burdens, made hard calls, and never, ever, ever lost sight of the humanity behind the mission. Your love of Disney is a reminder to all of us that even generals are dreamers. The joy and duty are not opposites, they're partners. That a strong nation is built not just by power, but by people who still believe in magic. in dreams, in service, and most of all each other. So, let us now mark this moment not just with ceremony, but truly with gratitude.”
The celebration continued nearby at Independence Beer Garden, where friends, colleagues, and family toasted to the next chapter of her service.
As a Philadelphia military promotion photographer, I am always struck by how these ceremonies are not just about the rank or the uniform — they’re about honoring a life of service, sacrifice, and love. Michele’s day was all of that and more, and it was an honor to capture it.
If you’re planning a military promotion at the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, or anywhere in Philadelphia, I’d love to help preserve the moment for you. You can reach out to me here.