Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

(Rocky Mountain) News wins 2 Pulitzers (Final Salute-Marines)
The Rocky Mountain News ^ | April 18, 2006 | Kevin Vaughan

Posted on 04/18/2006 10:13:44 AM PDT by CedarDave

The Rocky Mountain News was honored Monday with Pulitzer Prizes in writing and photography for its unflinching look at the way U.S. Marines honor comrades who have paid the ultimate price.

In a newsroom celebration marked by emotion and tears, reporter Jim Sheeler was recognized for winning in feature writing and photographer Todd Heisler in feature photography for their collaboration, "Final Salute." The special report followed a Marine major who has the difficult task of making death notifications and of helping families begin to face life after loss.

And while there was tremendous satisfaction in the awards, there was also a keen sense of respect for the Marines who never came home - and their families.

"We're going to have some glasses of champagne to toast Todd and Jim and also to honor the courage of the families that we wrote about and photographed," said Rocky Mountain News Editor, President and Publisher John Temple, a catch in his voice. "This is an incredible moment for these two journalists and this newspaper."

"Final Salute," published on Veterans Day, chronicled a year in the life of Marine Maj. Steve Beck, the casualty assistance calls officer for Colorado and parts of four other states, and several families who lost loved ones in Iraq. Beck was in the newsroom for the announcement, and later in the afternoon he was joined by the loved ones of two Marines who lost their lives in Iraq. Sheeler and Heisler paid respect to those families.

(Excerpt) Read more at rockymountainnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; US: Colorado
KEYWORDS: fallen; finalsalute; heros; iraq; marines; oif; photojournalism; photos; pulitzer; sacrifice; semperfi; usmc
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next last
I had two different posters from two completely different sources ping me to this story, so decided to post it. The story is only part of it. Go to the main Rocky Mountain News page and see the pictures and story that got them the prize.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/

1 posted on 04/18/2006 10:13:47 AM PDT by CedarDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SandRat; Gucho; OldMarine

See this?


2 posted on 04/18/2006 10:17:06 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (The Democrat Party. For those who value slogans over solutions.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave


3 posted on 04/18/2006 10:19:17 AM PDT by CedarDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave

Congratulations to them for their coverage.

I remember a while ago, someone posted an article of the funeral of an American Indian (Sioux?)from the Marines. That was one of the most moving articles I have ever seen. If anyone still has a link...


4 posted on 04/18/2006 10:19:20 AM PDT by SueRae
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: AliVeritas

Here is the entire story behind the picture you sent me this morning. I was browsing on another site when a poster who knows the photographer posted the story. Followed it and have viewed all the photos. I'll take time to read the story later, away from work, when I can absorb the emotions it will generate. Pass this thread on to those you originally pinged.


6 posted on 04/18/2006 10:24:08 AM PDT by CedarDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave
Later in the afternoon, Temple again gathered the staff in the newsroom. This time, Beck was joined by Katherine Cathey, whose husband, 2nd Lt. James Cathey, was killed in Iraq in August; by their son, 4- month-old Jimmy Cathey; by Katherine's parents, Vic and Vicki Leonard; and by Cooper.

Katherine Cathey remembered the first night she met Sheeler and Heisler - and that she appreciated them coming to her home "and listening to what I had to say about my husband."

"They made a lot of sacrifices, too, so that everybody would have a very clear picture of what the families had to go through," she said through tears as Jimmy fidgeted in her lap. "These two awards couldn't have been given to anybody other than these two guys."

7 posted on 04/18/2006 10:30:48 AM PDT by CedarDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave
Some more photographs:


8 posted on 04/18/2006 10:36:57 AM PDT by CedarDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MNJohnnie; patriciaruth
oh what is there to say after viewing these pictures?

Patty, this makes me more determined than ever that I continue following through with our support.

9 posted on 04/18/2006 10:38:42 AM PDT by daybreakcoming (If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. A. Lincoln)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: AliVeritas

See this?


10 posted on 04/18/2006 10:42:48 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (The Democrat Party. For those who value slogans over solutions.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave

Thanks for posting this Dave.


11 posted on 04/18/2006 10:49:14 AM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave

Here's a direct link to the story page:

http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/news/finalSalute/


12 posted on 04/18/2006 10:49:21 AM PDT by rightinthemiddle (Islamic Terrorists, the Mainstream Media and the Democrat Party Have the Same Goals in Iraq.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave
Great story. Denver is blessed to be a 2-paper town. I miss the RMN. And the Denver comPost is nothing but an amateur version of the NYSlimes.
13 posted on 04/18/2006 10:58:06 AM PDT by manwiththehands (I'm a single issue voter this year: illegal immigration.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MNJohnnie

No, I'm tuff. No, those are not tears on my face! They're, they're, they're.......

God bless these great soldiers and marines and their families!


14 posted on 04/18/2006 11:06:32 AM PDT by privatedick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave
I'm not getting through to the website now. They are probably being slammed as the news circulates throughout the new media.
15 posted on 04/18/2006 11:11:59 AM PDT by CedarDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Allegra

Ping to another Marine story about heros.


16 posted on 04/18/2006 11:14:02 AM PDT by CedarDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave
I'll take time to read the story later, away from work, when I can absorb the emotions it will generate.

Just finished reading it...good recommendation.
17 posted on 04/18/2006 11:22:07 AM PDT by Captain Rhino (If you will just abandon logic, these things will make a lot more sense!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave

Deeply moving.

God bless and keep them all.

Archer24


18 posted on 04/18/2006 11:26:08 AM PDT by Archer24
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave
Wow, now I'm ruined. Casualty Assistance Calls Officer, toughest MOS in the Marines.

I remember how knotted I was, forcing myself to go home at the end of the day, afraid to see government license plates in my driveway. My son was a squad leader, first battle of Fallujah.

But to think of having to deliver the news, no, I ain't the beginning of that tough.

God Bless 'em. Semper fi, carry on.........

19 posted on 04/18/2006 11:42:35 AM PDT by gandalftb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gandalftb; SW6906

I can certainly related to being "knotted". Our Marine just returned from his first tour in Iraq and every single time I turned into our street when returning home, I'd strain to see if a government sedan was parked in the driveway. I'm glad that nobody knocked on our door late at night. I would have fainted on the spot.

I started reading the article at lunch but decided the kids in my group wouldn't understand why the old guy was crying. It's very intense but especially so when you have a child in harm's way. If you don't, it's a theoretical worry. You can imagine all you like, but you can't know.

Namsman sends.


20 posted on 04/18/2006 12:05:33 PM PDT by namsman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson