THOSE THAT GAVE THEIR LIVES OR SUFFER THE WOUNDS OF WAR ARE AWARDED THIS PURPLE HEART.

2LT James Cathey, USMC Emblem -- click on for its history. USMC Duty, Honor & Country...

"The Lieutenant gave his all,
and we will honor his sacrifices for u.s."

A soldier or marine with gear in combat resting. "God bless him
& the loved ones
he leaves behind,

Mrs. Katherine Cathey."

Reno, Nevada

Prelude ~   A simple "Thank You" note ...

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.
Honor Guard Sentry at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
No,   he responded.     Heading out I asked?     No.

I'm escorting a marine 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.

Salute tribute to our fallen comrades! "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 for ward 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.

Duty, Honor & Country...


Here are two photos honored at this years

"International Picture of the Year."

First and Second Places, respectively.

Photo Credits:
Todd Heisler of "The Rocky Mountain News"


2LT James Cathey, USMC (Reno, Nevada)

When 2nd Lieutenant 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.

2LT James Cathey, USMC (Reno, Nevada) -- Mrs. Katherine Cathey sleeping in the front of the coffin.

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
USMC Emblem -- click on for its history. 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."

2nd Lieutenant James Cathey
United States Marine Corps


Photo credits:     Todd Heisler of     (Slides)
Rocky Mountain News website



    USMC Seal -- click on for its history.


Tributes to 'Cat"'

2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division,
II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

KIA on August 21, 2005, 24, of Reno, Nevada
Lt. Cathey died of injuries caused by an improvised explosive device
while conducting combat operations near Al Karmah, Iraq.

Rocky Mountain News Stories -   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8

Excerpt of tributes     More messages