FirstPlace
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport , Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.
During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.'
Second Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted.'
'No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.'
-- Ronald Reagan
Blue Fridays.
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.
Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear
something blue.
By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is ...'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday.
9 comments:
wow, he won first and second place? amazing.
i read that series last year; it was terrific. didn't it also win the pulitzer prize?
first tears of the morning - and well deserved! Outstanding pics. My 5th graders last night were discussing strong women in the bible - Veronica, the women who went to the tomb, the women of Jerusalem. Strong traditions. Strong women.
On another note, in the part of the country, it is red that is worn on Friday. My husband has been doing it for more than a year. I will see if I can find where it started.
That'd be cool - a sea of blue!
A great idea wearing blue, and red in other parts of the country. Those are great photos and tributes to the men and women who serve, and those left behind.
Every time I see that series, I cry. It is powerful, and so true. Thanks for posting it.
I love the idea of wearing blue (or red) on Fridays. I'll pass this along proudly.
Wow. What a post. That put a lump in my throat. What an excellent idea.
I'll be wearing blue tomorrow for sure. I was an AF brat cause my father was in the service for 23 yrs, also all of my uncles served in branches of the military. God Bless these men and women for what they're giving up for us.
Very touching! Was happy you shared these photos, just, wow!
Good post. I don't have to agree with the reasons for the war...but the people over there deserve our respect.
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