Free Republic

The skinny sailor sat in the Philadelphia airport terminal in his deep-blue dress uniform, cracking his knuckles, shifting in his seat, waiting for his best friend. A woman from the airline walked over and motioned for him to follow. She saw the nervous look on the sailor's face and stopped. "Wait," she said. "Is this your first time doing this?" "Yes, ma'am," the 22 year-old said, his voice cracking. "Well, unfortunately, it's not the first time for me," she said. "Not even the first time this week." She led him toward the gate and gave him a soft smile. "You'll...

THE FINAL SALUTE Rocky Mountain News reporter Jim Sheeler and photographer Todd Heisler spent the past year with the Marines stationed at Aurora's Buckley Air Force Base who have found themselves called upon to notify families of the deaths of their sons in Iraq. In each case in this story, the families agreed to let Sheeler and Heisler chronicle their loss and grief. They wanted people to know their sons, the men and women who brought them home, and the bond of traditions more than 200 years old that unite them. Though readers are led through the story by the...

nside a limousine parked on the airport tarmac, Katherine Cathey looked out at the clear night sky and felt a kick. "He's moving," she said. "Come feel him. He's moving." Her two best friends leaned forward on the soft leather seats and put their hands on her stomach. "I felt it," one of them said. "I felt it." Outside, the whine of jet engines swelled. "Oh, sweetie," her friend said. "I think this is his plane." As the three young women peered through the tinted windows, Katherine squeezed a set of dog tags stamped with the same name as her...

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq (Army News Service, May 22, 2006) – A lone Soldier stands off to the side at a memorial service unnoticed. When the end nears and volleys are fired, the Soldier steps forward, raises a trumpet to his lips and solemnly blares “Taps," the 24-note final tribute to departed service members. For more than a century, Taps has added closure to military funerals and memorial services attended by grieving families and friends. In Iraq, the 4th Infantry Division Band’s six trumpeters alternate playing Taps at memorial services throughout the Multi-National Division – Baghdad area of operations. Each musician...

The Rocky Mountain News was honored Monday with Pulitzer Prizes in writing and photography for its unflinching look at the way U.S. Marines honor comrades who have paid the ultimate price. In a newsroom celebration marked by emotion and tears, reporter Jim Sheeler was recognized for winning in feature writing and photographer Todd Heisler in feature photography for their collaboration, "Final Salute." The special report followed a Marine major who has the difficult task of making death notifications and of helping families begin to face life after loss. And while there was tremendous satisfaction in the awards, there was also...