Katherine Cathey and 2nd Lt. James J. Cathey. Todd Heisler’s Pulitzer Prize Winning Photographic Series
At the first sight of her husband’s flag-draped casket, Katherine Cathey broke into uncontrollable sobs, finding support in the arms of Major Steve Beck. When Beck first knocked on her door in Brighton, Colorado, to notify her of her husband’s death, she glared at him, cursed him, and refused to speak to him for more than an hour. Over the next several days, he helped guide her through the grief. By the time they reached the tarmac, she wouldn’t let go.
The 2006 Pulitzer Prize in Feature Photography went to Todd Heisler and The Rocky Mountain News for this photographic series.
© All rights reserved by Todd Heisler and Rocky Mountain News.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
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Minutes after her husband’s casket arrived at the Reno airport, Katherine Cathey fell onto the flag. When 2nd Lt. James Cathey left for Iraq, he wrote a letter to Katherine that read, in part, “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.”
The knock at the door begins a ritual steeped in tradition more than two centuries old; a tradition based on the same tenet: “Never leave a Marine behind.” When the wars began in Afghanistan and Iraq, Maj. Steve Beck expected to find himself overseas, in the heat of battle. He never thought he would be the one arranging funerals for his fallen comrades.
Major Steve Beck and another Marine approach the family home of 2nd Lt. James Cathey, preparing to escort the Catheys to the airport to receive their son’s body. Five days earlier, the shadows of Casualty Assistance Call Officers followed the same path, carrying the news no military family ever wants to hear. “I’ll never forget Major Beck’s profile,” said Bob Burns of the night he was notified of his son’s death. The gold star flag in the window signifies the death of a loved one oversees.
After arriving at the funeral home, Katherine Cathey pressed her pregnant belly to her husband’s casket, moaning softly. Two days after she was notified of Jim’s death in Iraq, she found out they would have a boy. Born on December 23, 2005, he was named James Jeffrey Cathey, Jr.
Since James Cathey was killed in a massive explosion, his body was delicately wrapped in a shroud by military morticians, then his Marine uniform was laid atop his body. Since Katherine Cathey decided not to view her husband’s body, Maj. Steve Beck took her hand, and pressed it down on the uniform. “He’s here,” he said quietly. “Feel right here.”
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.”
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Oh, Onemoreoption, I am crying for young widow Katherine and I so hope Major Steve a full long life and am sending him a psychic embrace. This is something I thought I’d ever do, break into necessary tears while reading a blog post. You are a loving, sensitive soul. G
God Bless Katherine Cathey and her new son!
In deepest sympathy and gratitude for 2nd Lt. James Cathey, my thoughts are with you.
Words can not express how deeply moved I am by these pictures, and this story. With each tear that fell, I healed a little bit more.
RIP Lt. Cathey
Semper Fi
Where do such men come from, and why is it that we must lose them to such banal evil.
:silence:
The Marines Prayer
Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy
presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose in deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.
If I am inclined to doubt; steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. Amen.
I remember him as a young squad leader in Hawaii -before Iraq. He was a 20 or 21 year old sergeant back then. I remember him saying that he wanted to be the Commadant of the Marine Corps some day. I did not doubt him one bit, because of his accomplishments at such a young age. He was one of the hardest Marines I have ever met.
I have been mourning for Mrs. Cathey since I saw the picture of her laying beside the coffin of her husband…I even used the picture as my backgound desktop on my computer for quite awhile. I had never been moved so much by a photograph. I wish her and baby son well and I hope in time a return to happiness.
What a beautiful tribute to a fallen hero and his wife. God bless Mrs. Cathey and her son.
When I read the article about 2nd Lt. Cathey, Katherine and their unborn son, I became so deeply moved that I could not get the image of her laying next to the flag drapped coffin out of my mind -I still can’t. I could not sleep for weeks after that. I decided to write a poem in tribute to Lt. Cathey and his brave widow who would not leave his side, even in death. After I wrote it, it was like getting a ten ton rock off my chest. I wish there were some way to tell Katherine that I continue to keep her and her family in my prayers and I think about her often. God bless you Katherine and all the families who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. May God bless the United States Marine Corps - Semper Fidelis. The poem can be found at:
http://66.220.11.194/visit/viewpoetry.asp?AuthorID=44542&id=189470
If anyone is interested in reading it.
With great admiration and love,
~Butch Howard
Not too many days go by that I don’t think about this young woman and her husband. I still say a prayer for her and their child.
Not sure how to let Katherine know that my son, Francis, wrote a song for her when he read about her. It is really beautiful - written by a young man of just 18.
I hope it brings you some comfort if you have lost someone you love.
http://www.myspace.com/franohanlon
God bless.
Gerry
It’s been 2½ years since this families loss, and I just got an email about this story. It’s heart breaking. Being a pregnant military wife, my heart goes out to her and her child.
I thought I was a tough guy but I was so moved by the picture of the casket under the airliner that I searched until I found this. I went to the Pulitizer site and saw all Todds’ works there also. It started with an email from a friend near Atlanta today. None of us not directly touched by this war can fathom what Katherine feels. God Bless her and her son.
I would like to add a line I always remember from “The Bridges at Toko-Ri” - Where do we get such men?
I have seen many a time in e-mails sent to me, the picture of the flag draped coffin being removed from the airplane. i never new the story behind it. I was curious and looked it up and found the story of Kathrine. I admire her strength and ability to be strong and to be able to do the things that she did. one of the hardest jobs in the military doesn’t even involve the soldiers themselves, it involves being a military wife/spouse. This story is one that i will never forget for as long as i live, it has truly shaken me to the core because war is a sad reality and so is death. I won’t ever forget James J. Cathey for as long as i live. I support our troops and the families that support them, because behind every fallen soldier is a family who lost a hero…
Wow…
Lt. Cathey may you rest in peace, you are not just a hero, you are a man, you are a Marine! Semper Fi.
May the good Lord look down on Katherine, and James Jr. and comfort them as much as can be expected… thank you to all three for your ultimate sacrifice. You are loved.
God Bless
Katherine and James Jr. may you find comfort in know that you and your family will always be watched over by the Marines who served with and loved your husand like a brother. Semper Fi
Dear Katherine and James, Jr.
Words can never expressed the feelings I have for the sacrifice you both have suffered as well as Lt. Cathey. My heart goes out to you and your family. I am honored to be protected by men such as your husband. Because of him, we all sleep in peace at night. I can only hope one day you will be at peace. You and your son and the memory of your husband will be forever in my prayers.
May God bless you and your son.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss and i want you to know that i pray for you and for all those in your situation. god bless you and your son. and remember he will always be america’s hero and will always be looking over you and your son.
sincerely chelsea p
my son want to be in the marine, a dont’ now is dad is ok a am scare
though i am not an american, and though i have not been a friend of the whole iraq thing from the beginning, yet i nevertheless feel sorrow and sympathy for all the young men and women who die for their country. me and my wife, we are deeply moved by this story and by the pictures, words cannot express the pain that we feel with you. i hope that one day you, Katherine, and your child will get along and that pride and life will survive sorrow and tears. God bless you, and - yes, semper fi
andy
I think it’s important for people to build online tribute pages for the ones we love, so they can live on forever. I just built a page. It’s a great site. Just thought I’d pass the word in case you wanted to post a free tribute too! God Bless You!