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[MJZ]

Thomas Mouch
 Sr. Mgr., Int'l. BD, Asia-Pacific
 Raytheon Company
 
 Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant in Dress Blues traveling with a folded flag, but I did not put two and two together.  After we'd boarded our flight, I turned to  the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (and was seated across the aisle from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
 
 "No sir" 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 am 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 Marine's family and felt as if he did know them after so 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, so as to allow Sergeant Steeley to de-plane and receive his fellow Marine.  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 two things: I am proud to be an American, and I  will  continue to fly on American Airlines because it respects what our
 Marines and troops do every day.
 
 So here's a public thank-you to our military for doing what they do,
 so we can live the way we do.
 
 And if there are no tears in your eyes now, you could use a
 heart transplant.

I thought you might enjoy this.

MJZ

[The Mysterious Q!]

Being a former Marine myself I must say my eyes are welled up right now.I never had the feeling of losing a brother in time of war,I was in during peace time but the feeling is no different when a fellow Marine has given his life for me and my family.I applaud the airline for doing what they did. God bless the Marine who fell and the pride and honor  he carried for the rest of us and to the family my heart goes out to you in the time of loss.God Bless America!Semper Fi Brother.

[JCZ]

Being a former Marine myself I must say my eyes are welled up right now.I never had the feeling of losing a brother in time of war,I was in during peace time but the feeling is no different when a fellow Marine has given his life for me and my family.I applaud the airline for doing what they did. God bless the Marine who fell and the pride and honor

[UK Dave]

Thomas Mouch
 Sr. Mgr., Int'l. BD, Asia-Pacific
 Raytheon Company
 
 
 And if there are no tears in your eyes now, you could use a
 heart transplant.

I thought you might enjoy this.

MJZ

Oh yes, there are tears alright.

Respect

Dave

[CVOJOE]

Along these lines, check out the two pictures that were awarded first and second place at the picture of the year international  this year.  Very touching photos.
Reminds me of some return flights from the 'Nam with some very precious cargo in back end. Would post them here, but they're bitmap formatted and not compatible with the sire here pics wise.  http://www.poyi.org/63/11/01.php
USAF, ret.

                                

[BLM777]

Joe....converted the pics to .jpg to post.

[BLM777]

Next......

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."

[SPIDERMAN]

When tears fall and words fail I realize that we are all bound by our humanity. This post has left me feeling - - - - - - hurting - - - - - but knowing that to do so I have to be alive and I give thanks to God every day for that. I pray that these brave young men are at God's side and in peace for which they gave all.  

[MJZ]

When tears fall and words fail I realize that we are all bound by our humanity. This post has left me feeling - - - - - - hurting - - - - - but knowing that to do so I have to be alive and I give thanks to God every day for that. I pray that these brave young men are at God's side and in peace for which they gave all.

[The Mysterious Q!]

Yes Big B very well said.

[SEULTRA]

Great photos. They capture something special about those who make the ultimate sacrifice and those left behind who also pay a huge price. It is said that "no one hates war more than the warrior for it is he who understands the complexity and simplicity of battle and ultimately pays the price of conflict"
I am proud and sick to my stomach all at the same time. Too many memories of times past. God speed to our brave warriors.
Master Sergeant USAF 1973-1995

[Fired00d]

Touching story. I've seen the article that these pictures came from.

Semper Fi!!
USMC 6/75 - 6/78

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[naitram]

i added the captions above the photos,

[Fired00d]

There is a web presentation that has a really nice slide show that goes with the above pictures. Go here: Final Salute and look in the middle of the page and find "Related Links" click on "Multimedia Web Presentation" and follow instructions.

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[RJ749]

There really are no words that can acurately describe the weight in my chest.

I was on a flight last year that escorted one of our fallen troops home.  The honor guard awaited the planes arrival in Atlanta from Germany.  As we arrived and taxied to the gate they came to attention as the plane swang toward its berth, then when parked they came to the door as pictured and presented the colors and climbed aboard.

These pictures serve as a reminder to us all that we have an incredible group of men and women who have volunteered to serve and how fortunate we are that they do.

USAF
167th MAC
Medic 67-71

[BADBUD]

I AM SURE GLAD NOBODY WAS HOME WHEN I READ THIS.
SURE TAKES THE MACHO OUT OF "BADBUD".