To Honor Them

In my previous entry I mentioned the loss of two Soldiers from one of my husband's former Squadron's. It has broken my heart. Any loss is tragic, when it hits so close to home it stings a little more. I did not know these two men, but I honor them and I pray for their families.
When the debate over whether pictures should be shown of the caskets arriving at Dover was going on I felt strongly that they should not be. Out of respect for the families it should be a private moment. As I talked to some of my friends who are Gold Star Wives/Families, there was mixed opinions, some said yes, some said no. Many said that America should see the sacrifice. Since then I have googled names of of the Fallen so I could read about them, to honor them, to give them the acknowledgment they deserve for the sacrifice. Many times in the google searches the images of their transfer ceremonies at Dover would come up. I found myself unable to look at the pictures.
When I learned the names of our two Fallen Heroes from 1/9 Cavalry, I searched on the internet for information about them. I wanted to know who they were and I wanted to at least honor them by reading about them. As I searched and read, the images of their Dover transfer ceremony came up and I couldn't not look. Suddenly I didn't feel like I was invading privacy, instead I felt it was the least I could do to look at the ceremony and honor them as those who are physically there do.
My husband has been on what is known as a ramp ceremony...where they load the bodies of the Fallen on the planes to head home. Their battle buddies go to honor them.
I will not be at their memorial or funerals but I can pause and look at the respect in which they were brought home and I can honor their sacrifice.
Welcome Home SGT Michael Bartley.
Welcome Home SPC Martin Lamar.
I can honor them in this small way.