Jesus says..."If you deny me before man, I will deny you before my Father
in Heaven
A Simple Thank You
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 do
so we can live the way we do.
signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington, D.C.
Photos 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."
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.
