All photographs by Todd Heisler, The Rocky Mountain News. No reproduction of any images permitted without permission of the photographer.

 

HONOR AFTER THE FALL Marines based in Colorado have marched into the darkness of grief 18 times since the start of the Iraq war to help the families of their fallen comrades shoulder the loss and honor their sacrifice. Major Steve Beck prepares for the final inspection of 2nd Lt. James J. Cathey's body, only days after notifying Cathey's wife of the Marine's death in Iraq. SMONE
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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. SMONE
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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. SMONE
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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 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. SMONE
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Members of the Marine Air Control Squadron 23 stationed at Buckley Air Force Base escort the casket of Marine Lance Corporal Evenor Herrera to a gravesite in Eagle. Since the beginning of the war, Marines from Buckley have overseen funerals for 16 active duty Marines; 12 died in Iraq, four died in traffic accidents. SMONE
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Blanca Stibbs, cq, center, rests her head on her husband David Stibbs' shoulder as a Marine honor guard folds the flag that draped their son Lance Corporal Evenor Herrera's casket during a burial service at Sunset View Cemetery in Eagle on Friday, August 19, 2005. (TODD HEISLER/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS) ***Blanca Stibbs, David Stibbs***
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Gilma Miranda, cq, the aunt of fallen Marine Lance Corporal Evenor Herrera, and close friend Kelly Matias stroke his hand during a last visitation at Community United Methodist Church in Eagle on August 19, 2005. SMONE
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Jo Burns cries as she and her husband Bob opened the boxes containing their son's uniforms from Iraq - boxes delivered by Maj. Steve Beck.
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Katherine Cathey pressed her pregnant belly to her husband's casket, moaning softly. The baby, due Jan. 1, will be named James Jeffrey Cathey Jr. SMONE
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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. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of JIM. SMONE
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As his son's funeral neared, Jeff Cathey's tears rarely stopped. He often found comfort in the men who shared his son's uniform.
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Before leaving for a funeral in December, Maj. Steve Beck took time fora hug with his children, Steve, 2, and twins Lindsey and Abigail, 4. His job as Casualty Assistance Calls officer means taking vast amounts oftime from his own family to care for others. SMONE
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