When
Marine 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.
Marine Major Steve Beck described the scene as very powerful.
"See
the people in the windows? They sat right there in that 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 always remember being on that plane for the
rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine
home. And they should."
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.' 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." See In The Arms of An Angel. See Going Home.
God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home
He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone
Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy
You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home --
"Most
of us wonder if our lives made any difference. Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald
Reagan
The Delta Airline Honor Guard
A warrior and his K-9 partner return