However no matter who you are or where you are or what you believe - if you are American - I believe we need to take care of America. I will post blogs on that. And while I am not 100% sure this is true - it won't kill us to wear blue and start it ourselves.
International Pictures of the Year.
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 so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat 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 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
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'.
Third Place:
And this one makes me cry!
Blue Fridays.
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority.' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.
Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is: 'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday.
So you know what color Chatty is wearing tomorrow and I am not much into blue clothes, but I will find something. Hope you do too! Thank you Cheri - check out her blog.
AN INTERESTING QUOTE - I choose rain too.
"The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come." ~ James Whitcomb Riley
"It is no use to grumble and complain," he said. "It's just as cheap and easy to rejoice; When God sorts out the weather and sends rain - Why, rain's my choice."
11 comments:
Hi Sandie...All the photos are powerful, but the one of the little boy is a heart-breaker.
I'll never understand why humans cannot live in peace on this most beautiful earth that we have been gifted with. There always has to be war and strife and killing. I'll never understand why unless it is to make us realize that this life is transitory and fleeting.
Take care and have a peaceful day. Susan
I have political views too. But don't blog about them. I don't mind reading others' political views when they differ from mine unless they really get to ranting. I respect the differences in opinion.
The pictures are very touching.
the photos are beautiful and also very sad and tell the whole story even without words.
i also do not post my political views and try to stay away from anything that is an opinion because we are all so very different. but i do pay attention to what is going on, and my hubby and I have some heated discussions since it is rare we agree on politics.
I don't discuss my views either. But understand we all have different views and respect them. Like Susan, I don't understand why we can't at least co-exist calmly.
Blue Friday it is!
*hugs*deb
Those pictures sure do say blue...and sad too. Trish
Those photos are very powerful...and very sad.
I agree with Susan. I don't understand why we have to go from one war to another. Why can't we all just get along?
I don't post my political views either. There's already enough on television, in the newspaper, and on the Internet. It's sometimes hard to get away from it.
Nice post :-) the picture of the little boy is very touching. Enjoy your day tomorrow!
Hugs x
Thanks for the reminder and those touching photos. I need to be more grateful for the cost of freedom.
Ah, those pictures just brought tears to my eyes. I will proudly be wearing blue. It's the very least we can do to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifice that our armed forces make for us.
And it occurs to me that our loyalty to the men and women who serve this country really should have nothing to do with politics. They are people, and they have families and loved ones, and we should love them for what they do for the cause of freedom.
That's about as close as I'm gonna get to a soapbox!
And yes, I choose rain too!
When I flew last week, I was on a flight with a fallen Marine and just as you said, I will never forget it.
It breaks my heart to look at the third prize photograph.
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