The perfect images for Memorial Day from an excellent photojournalist who knows how to tell a story with a single click of the camera.
All photos from Tod Heisler, 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 one of the most powerful in the process: “See the people in the windows? They’ll sit 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’re going to remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They’re going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.” (TODD HEISLER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS)Jo Burns clings to Corporal Dustin Barker, 22, during the “Remembering the Brave” ceremony honoring the actions of fallen Marines. Corporal Barker was with Jo Burns’ son, Lance Corporal Kyle Burns, when he was killed in action in Fallujah on November 11, 2004. (TODD HEISLER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS)The day before the funeral of their friend, 2nd Lt. Jon Mueller, left and 1st Lt. Matthew Baumann practiced for hours folding a flag, making sure there would be no errors the next day. “That will be the last time his flag is folded, ” Said Maj. Steve Beck, as he instructed them. “It has to be perfect.” (TODD HEISLER/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.” (TODD HEISLER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS)Captain Chris Sutherland, left, Sergeant Major Jeff Study, Staff Sergeant Clifford Grimes and Gunnery Sergeant Todd Martin prepare to deliver posthumous medals to the families of fallen Marines. During the formal ceremony, called “Remembering the Brave,” they also presented the families with a vase of yellow roses – one rose for each year of the Marine’s life. (TODD HEISLER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS)Members of the Marine Air Control Squadron 23 stationed at Buckley Air Force Base escort the casket of Marine Lance Corporal Evenor Herrera to a gravesite in Eagle. Since the beginning of the war, Marines from Buckley have overseen funerals for 16 active duty Marines; 12 died in Iraq, four died in traffic accidents. (TODD HEISLER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS)
