The Daniel Chester French Victory atop the Memorial to the First Division of the Army, the Big Red One, outside the White House (monument details here). Readers will remember that Daniel French Smith also designed the sculpture of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial as well as other sculpture in DC and around the country (photo collection here).
As part of the Mike's America Memorial Day observance, a repeat of "Final Salute" the moving account of how Marines honor and remember their fallen and the ones left behind. Make sure to see the full photo presentation.
Final Salute:
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
Thanks Special Agent Utah for posting this very sad account of the final journey home for 2nd Lt. Jim Cathey, a United States Marine, killed in Iraq. It's presented through the eyes of Major Steve Beck to whom the duty of Casualty Assistance Calls Officer has been given.
You'll be deeply touched by the extraordinary lengths to which these Marines go to honor and remember their fallen brothers and their continuing efforts to see that the family of the fallen hero is not forgotten after the funeral.
It's a sad story, but we can all be comforted knowing that the loses are so relatively few in comparison to other conflicts and still lower than the tragic deaths of September 11th. It's this sacrifice which secures our freedom and prevents future tragedy.
"Final Salute" was written by Jim Sheeler, of Rocky Mountain News, published November 9, 2005 (original text and photos here) won the Pulitizer Prize for both Feature Writing and Feature Photography.
The Rocky Mountain News has prepared an excellent and moving flash
presentation of photographs and audio from this important story. While sad, it's also a story that makes you proud to live in a country with such devoted people. And let's never forget the sacrifice portrayed in this story by abandoning the mission for which they gave their lives.
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