I get knocked down….
….and I try to get up again, just like the Chumbawumba song, but then I get knocked down again.
A local Marine was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month. I warned editors that in roughly a week, they’d bring his body home. That day just happened to be today. I knew I wouldn’t be able to cover this day, or his funeral. It’s too close. Jessie Cassada deployed a week after my brother deployed to Iraq. Cassada was 19 when he was killed. Too young to die in combat.
I told one of my editors that I didn’t think I could cover it, and I’d appreciate it if someone else could handle it. He was totally understanding and had no issue. I didn’t *love* the email from another supervisor saying “we’ll discuss.” No discussions. I just don’t think I can do it.
I luckily got out of the assignment. When the photographer was editing his photos, I looked over and saw one image that broke my heart.
You have the family and friends sobbing (mostly women), the child not realizing what’s happening and the Marine saluting, doing what every Marine would be doing – honoring a fallen Marine.
Definitely hits too close to home. Not sure when I’ll be able to cover something like this again. Maybe when I’m assured my brother is stateside, and safe.
Is this the same supervisor who we have discussed before?
As for the photo, I am speechless. Heatbreaking.
If it’s the supervisor that I cried about for three days, then yes. Same one.
Heartbreaking!!!!!!!!! Every time I see something like this it makes me think of my husband, my cousin who got a Purple Heart in Iraq, your brother, my USMC buddies and my military wife friends. I hate it.