While traveling on business, a passenger noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag. After they boarded the flight, he turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class, 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 now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family.
Upon landing the pilot stopped short of the gate and announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen; We have the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the USMC on this flight; escorting a fallen comrade home to his family. Please remain in your seats as we allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane to receive his fellow soldier.
No one moved. The sergeant saluted the casket as it was brought off the plane.
Here are 2 every touching photos honored at the International Picture of the Year.
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. Wonder what's going through their minds. "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
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. "That's what he would have wanted."