Final Salute4

Not everyone was lucky enough to return home alive, but at least they were returned home so their family could give them a proper burial.

2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport. Marines put the flag onto the his casket.

Major Steve Beck and another Marine at 2nd Lt. James Cathey's family home. They are here to escort the family to the airport to receive their son's body

Jo Burns cries as the family receives the clothes of her son.

Marine Sgt. Jeremy Kocher stands near the body of Lance Cpl. Evenor Herrera

Gilma Miranda, aunt of the Marine Lance Corporal Evenor Herrera and Kelly Matias a close friend stroke his hand during last visitation.

Marines from Buckley Air Force Base escort the casket of Evenor Herrera to the cemetary

burial service at Sunset View Cemetery

Lori DeMille touches the gravestone of Marine Lance Corporal Kyle Burns at Fort Logan National Cemetary.

Jo Burns and Corporal Dustin Barker at the ceremony honoring the actions of marines.

Families of the fallen are given posthumous medals.

Pregnant Katherine Cathey wait for the arrival of her husbands casket at the Reno Airport.

Marine Major Steve Beck prepares for the final inspection of 2nd Lt. James J. Cathey's body.

Katherine breaks into tears when seeing her husband's casket.

The last letter to his wife was "there are no words to describe how much I love you, and will miss you. I will also promise you one thing: I will be home. I have a wife and a new baby to take care of, and you guys are my world."

She puts flowers from their wedding, a bottle of Jim's favorite perfume and an ultrasound of their son next to her husband's remains.

James Cathey was killed in an explosion and was wrapped into a shroud. Katherine decide not to see her husband's body and just presses her hand down on the uniform which was placed on top of the shroud.

Katherine refuse to leave her husband's casket and stayed with him all night.

2nd Lt. Jon Mueller, left, and 1st Lt. Matthew Baumann practiced folding the flag for hours to do it perfect during the funeral.

Katherine presses her pregnant belly to the casket. The baby was born Dec. 22, 2005, and was named James Jeffrey Cathey, Jr

Tears on the father's face.

Before the burial the casket was covered with white glove, sand from Beaches of Iwo Jima and a single red rose.

via digitaljournalist.org