International picture of the year

International Picture of the Year
Here are two very touching photos honored this year.

First Place :

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 got to 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

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'

Posted via email from Newport Beach Blog

Body of 2nd O.C. Marine returns home today

 Now it's time for the second friend to come home.

A hero's welcome is planned Monday for Marine Sgt. Major Robert Cottle, when his remains will be returned to his family at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.

Marine Sgt. Major Robert J. Cottle, 45, of Yorba Linda was killed by an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on March 24. Cottle was a 27-year Marine veteran and a 20-year member of the LAPD, serving on the SWAT team.

JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

MORE PHOTOS »

Cottle of Yorba Linda was killed in Afghanistan on March 24 by an improvised explosive device that also took the life of his friend, Yorba Linda Marine Lance Cpl. Rick Centanni.

Hundreds of police officers and community supporters stood at attention when Centanni's body returned Friday, American flags flapping in the breeze as a quiet crowd on the tarmac watched Marines carefully unload his casket.

Cottle, 45, and Centanni, 19, became close after their deployment, with the older Marine taking the younger one under his wing.

The plane bearing Cottle's casket is scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m., and the public will be allowed to show its respects.

People interested in attending should arrive at the base's main gate, at 11200 Lexington Drive, between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m. Valid photo identification is needed to get on base. A security guard will direct attendees to parking.

Cottle grew up in Whittier, and for years had called Yorba Linda home.

Cottle was a 27-year veteran Marine and high-ranking SWAT officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. He was married to a naval officer and had a 9-month-old daughter.

An event to raise funds for a scholarship in Centanni's name, and a fund in Cottle's name that will assist returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, is being held at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Laugh Factory in Long Beach. Tickets can be purchased at cops4causes.org.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/cottle-242548-marine-centanni.html

Posted via web from The Newport Beach Blog