[antimedia] antimedia: Remembering those who serve

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Posted by antimedia:
Remembering those who serve
http://www.antimedia.us/posts/1158517622.shtml


   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 [1]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 announcment 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.
   Also, here are two very touching photos honored at this years
   International Picture of the Year.
   First Place
   Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
   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 Marine's casket last year at Denver
   International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so
   powerful: "See the people in the windows? T hey 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
   Vigil
   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."
   It's what all military men and women want -- for the citizens of this
   country, whose freedom depends upon and is the direct result of their
   service and sacrifice to support them not just with words but with
   their actions. To stand with them against the forces of evil, both
   from without and from within, and to refuse to accept defeat at home
   while our military wins victory after victory on the field of battle.
   To respect their ultimate sacrifice and pay homage to them, because
   they have earned it.
   "It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our
   system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free
   Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of
   his personal services to the defense of it." -- George Washington
   "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.
   WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!

References

   1. http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/news/finalSalute/