|
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a
Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two
together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd
been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he
was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No.
I'm escorting a soldier home.
Going
to pick him up?
No.
He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq .
I'm taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the
gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know
the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's
family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few
days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you.
Thank you for doing what you do so
my family and I can do what we do.
Upon
landing in Chicago
the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement
over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of
having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us
on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family.
I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door
to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We
will then turn off the seat belt sign."
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting
the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize
that I am proud to be an American.
So
here's a public
Thank You
to our military Men and Women for what you doso
we can live the way we do.
signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington , D.C.
|
Also, here are two very touching photos honored at this years
International Picture of the Year.
First Place
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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Red Fridays.
Very soon, you will see a great
many people wearing Red 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 red.
By word of mouth, press, TV --
let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red 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 RED 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 red every Friday.
|
|
|
|
