Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

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.


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."

I tried posting the pictures but if they do not come up go to this site
http://www.poyi.org/63/11/01.php

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Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

thank you for sharing...

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

That is so touching. I'm speechless. Thank you for posting this.

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

Thank you for sharing. This is a touching story.

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

Wow, thank you for posting that. American Pride.

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

Thank you for posting this! It really opens your eyes to what is really important in life!

I got chills when I saw the second picture....so touching!

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

OMG!!! thanks for sharing this....

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

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Posted by Tobewed07

Thank you for posting this! It really opens your eyes to what is really important in life!

I got chills when I saw the second picture....so touching!

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Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

What a beautiful story.
Thank you for sharing it with us.

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

That really was so touching - Thank you for sharing!!!

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

that gave me chills... thank you.

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

your stories honestly brought tears to my eyes. its unbelievable what some people are going through - thanks for sharing

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

Thanks for sharing...what a world we live in

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

As a wife of a marine.. that story brought tears to my eyes.....and made me so thankful that mine is home safe and sound.

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

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Posted by LaurenluvsTJ

that gave me chills... thank you.

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Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

Being in the Army, this hit home and brought tears to my eyes

G-d bless all my fellow comrades who are deployed over seas; may G-d bring you home safe to your families!!

Message edited 7/28/2006 1:16:46 PM.

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

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Posted by CJStein



That is so touching. I'm speechless. Thank you for posting this.

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Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

I hope everyone knows that I did not post this to upset anyone even though its hard for it not to break your heart when reading it. Its just more of an eye opener of the world that we live in. My heart goes out to anyone who has anyone over seas fighting for our right to live the way we do.

God Bless our TROOPS, I hope everyone returns home safe and this horrible time they may be going through ends soon.

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

Thank you so much for posting this. It's definitely things like this that remind me how lucky I am to live in this country and to be an American. Thank you.

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

That 2nd picture really got to me. I am tearing up. Thanks for posting it though. Sometimes I think we take for granted what our Armed Forces are doing for all of us. Thanks to all of these brave men and women.

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

Thanks for sharing, I got chills reading it. Its really touching

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

That story and imagery touched me *sigh* speechless...

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

That was really touching.
Thank you!

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

thats so touching! makes you really think how lucky we are! Too all those brides out here i always read how you want your hunnys home! Everytime i see a post like that my eyes tear up..may all our men and women return home safe and sound!!!!

Re: Just received this email at work & I thought I would share..alittle long

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Posted by Jen2999

As a wife of a marine.. that story brought tears to my eyes.....and made me so thankful that mine is home safe and sound.

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