Take a minute to say THANK YOU...

bamachem · 04-12-06, 07:14 AM

Picture of the Year International

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 one of the most powerful in the process: "See the people in the windows? They'll sit 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're going to remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should."

Katherine Cathey was expecting a phone call from her husband, Marine 2nd. Lt. Jim Cathey, so she could tell him if their baby would be a boy or a girl. Instead, she got a knock at the door -- the knock every military family dreads. When his body finally arrived at the airport in the Marine's hometown of Reno, Katherine never wanted to leave his side. 'You take for granted the last night you spend with them,' she said. 'I think I took it for granted. This was the last night I'll have to sleep next to him.' She said about her all night vigil by Jim's casket the night before his burial. Major Steve Beck prepares for the final inspection of 2nd Lt. James J. Cathey's body, only days after notifying Cathey's wife of the Marine's death in Iraq.

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."

If you ever have the opportunity to thank a US Servicemember, please take a moment to do so. It only takes about 10 seconds to stop and thank someone in uniform for their service to our country. It means so much to them to be recognized and appreciated for everything they do, and hopefully your freedom means at least that much to you. These men and women make uncountable sacrifices every day of their lives, and unfortunately, some of them give all so that we may continue to know and enjoy our freedom here at home. These are the lives that our freedoms are built upon. Please don't take that for granted.

[this is NOT a political discussion - DO NOT turn it into one.]

reffug · 04-12-06, 07:26 AM

Absolutely beautiful.

tpattyII · 04-12-06, 07:26 AM

i thank them all the time...infact i still wear a POW bracelet from vietnam. i have a lot of respect for those that serve.

fsusteve · 04-12-06, 07:27 AM

Not long after 9/11, there was an annual Christmas parade in the City where I work. I just happened to be on duty that day and my Engine company had to go represent. As we were coming down the street in procession we slowed in front of a reserved box for active military personnel. As we pulled up, they all stood in unison and gave us a standing ovation. Now I'm not very emotional but this moved me deeply, the thought of these heroes applauding us. I still get teary eyed thinking about it.

Eric_FJ40 · 04-12-06, 08:49 AM

Semper Fi and Godspeed...

2badfjs · 04-12-06, 09:26 AM

everytime i see anyone of our military....i thanx them for serving

MAY GOD BE WITH THEM ALL!!!!!

tarbe · 04-12-06, 11:51 AM

What a mix of emotions. Compassion, pride, sorrow, anger, frustration, guilt...gratitude.

Gratitude.

WristPin · 04-12-06, 11:57 AM

wow,
that pic of the wifey and the casket...
sad.

i shake the hand of vertans, and shake the hand of active soilders.

w/o them we'd be living in fear.

TX_TLC · 04-12-06, 11:59 AM

thank you now and forever

re_guderian · 04-12-06, 12:06 PM

pretty powerful. I say thank-you to every soldier I meet.

Biff · 04-12-06, 12:17 PM

Pretty powerful stuff, I try to thank every solider that I meet especially when I'm with my kids.

Brentbba · 04-12-06, 12:24 PM

Extremely moving. Reading at work and a tear is cascading down my face.

Thanking servicemen/women, firefighters, police etc. has become a routine of mine these last few years as our paths cross. It should be for everyone.

notyourmomslx450 · 04-12-06, 12:46 PM

i never thought ih8mud would bring a tear to my eye. Thanks to all soldiers past, present, and future. Wartime or peacetime.

NorCalDoug · 04-12-06, 12:52 PM

Thanks for the post.

justagirl · 04-12-06, 03:28 PM

Thanks for posting that, Andy. You made me cry.
Heather

LoveTractor · 04-12-06, 09:22 PM

Saying thank you to some servicemen actually got me out of getting my ass kicked a few months back. Some of ya'll may remember my post a while ago about going out to LA for a weekend. Well, I was strolling down Sunset with my buddies dressed sort of "fancy" on my way to the "side room" at The Standard. All of a sudden, these drunk Navy guys pop up behind us and just start talking shit. Completely outta the blue. We ignored them and kept walking. They kept taunting so I turned around a casually asked, "You guys in the Navy?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
"I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate everything you guys do for our country. It takes a lot of courage to join the military in this day and age."
I get a dumbfounded look from all 3 of them.
I continue, "How's about we go and buy you guys some drinks?"
"Ahhhh, no thanks, man. You guys have a good evening." And they walked off.

Great guys. Just too much testosterone and booze for the night. I am proud they fight for my country and was proud they saw the decency in walking away...they would've kicked my ass.

Cookiemonster · 04-12-06, 10:16 PM

Thank you Bamachem for a great thread.

I hope it stirs everyone to a remembrance of those (& their families) who make great sacrifices and often the ultimate sacrifice so that we and our family's may enjoy freedom.

God bless the men & women of our armed forces as they serve diligently.

Razor · 04-12-06, 10:29 PM

God Bless all our service men and women !

brett76 · 04-12-06, 10:31 PM

WOW that was really powerful

thank you

expat · 04-12-06, 10:34 PM

I was fortunate enought to serve on the USS Indianapolis. I wa selected to go to the Indy 500. One of the best memories in my life. I could go on and on about it. But I won't to keep to the thread.

After the race we went down into the infield (in uniform). There were the typical drunks having typical fun at the races. Many had turned the beds of their pick-ups into pools. When we were walking by, some drunk college guys yelled out "Hey you fucking loser squids. Here's some water for ya!" and popped open the tailgate. Out of the blue four or five scarey bikers come and jump the guys in or near the truck and literally beat the shit out of them. One of came up to us, shook our hands, thanked us for serving, all the time apologizing for the poor beat-up drunk guys.

This was in the 80's, when it was pretty unpopular to be in the service or have short hair. I'll never forget that biker's sincerity. It was one of the few times anyone ever said thanks...