First Place
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 Marines 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 2nd place 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.' 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.
~GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS~
Amy
7 comments:
Oh Amy that is one powerful post.
Especially the photo of Katherine.
Blue Friday sounds like a great idea.
Alison
Awesome post, Amy! Thank you for sharing it.
Oh Amy, I am utterly speechless at the picture of her laying by the casket.
LeAnn :)
Amy,
Thanks for posting about wearing blue on Fridays. I don't agree with the war and feel that it is Bush's personal war (and I voted for him, twice). I think he's going to go down in history as one of our worst presidents.
HOWEVER, I DO SUPPORT our TROOPS. That last picture really broke my heart. So, far we have lost 4000 troops.
God Bless Our Troops and Country
~elaine~
These pictures are just heart wrenching. I don't know if I could bear it......But you said it right, "God Bless our troops."
Amy, these photos were so incredible. My heart goes out to all of the troops and thier families...
Oh that was really sad! What moving pictures. God Bless or troops!
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