Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, Missouri School of Journalism
Some things just need to be shared. These touching photos taken by Todd Heisler speak to the heart, and are moving in such a way that mere words fall short. God bless our great country and the military men and women who serve her.
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 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."
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."
Link to the POY website to read, and hear, them discussing the photos.
DIRECTIONS TO RANGE: US 131 NORTH OR SOUTH TO BURTON ST., WEST TO CLYDE PARK AVE., TURN NORTH TO CHICAGO DR., TURN WEST TO NAGEL AVE., TURN NORTH AND GO FOUR BLOCKS TO 1331 NAGEL (WEST SIDE OF STREET.) See location for map.