Final Salute - Todd Heisler won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for this story about the Marine Honor Guard and Major Steve Beck, who support the families of fallen Marines.
I'm not American but how dare anyone click on the thumbs down. Those soldiers have died to give Liberty and Freedom to both Americans and the country he was killed in. All Soldiers, Navy and Air force personnel should given full respect for laying there lives down to help others.
Thank You, Peter - We love our military and it does my heart good to know that non-Americans do as well, especially with such passion. My husband was in the Navy, but recently passed. He was my everything - so you can understand how much I appreciate your comment. Thank You, Again.
I would've stayed also. Just imagine not being able to feel their warm body and their touch again. Not being able to see that glint in their eye or smell their scent ever again. I was never married to a soldier but I did just lose my husband in June from a stroke. I would imagine this was ✔ done for several reasons. She loved him like no other and only wanted 1 last night together. She was very pregnant with their son and will tell him all about him, that nite and her feelings on that, I cried just watching this. This is why I will stand and continue to do so.
Ɓreaks my heart to wish there was never war. So many around the world have been town apart with war. Çrying watching this video. Why does it have to be like this?
@adrian collette I've known hundreds of members of the United States Marine Corps and I can promise you that every one of them would say that protecting YOU, @adrian collette, is ONE DAMN GOOD REASON. At this moment I would disagree!
I am a Vietnam vet, while I watched this my heart just wept as I still am wiping my tears away, to all of those who have lost their best friends,dads,moms,brothers, sisters sons ,daughters my heart breaks for you. Only a merciful God can heal your hearts, give you hope Jesus is always there for you as he has so so many.
No disrespect to your military, but your soldiers are not protecting your country, quiet the opposite. They protect the interests of the scumbags who got rich at the stake of your hard working tax paying dying middle class.
Michael - I think you're wrong. If we didn't have Marines and Soldiers, you wouldn't have the freedom to express yourself, one way or the other. Freedom is not free...........
This is not fake news, this is how the Marines roll. I was on a plane a couple years ago, that was transporting the casket of a fallen Marine. The Captain announced that we please stay in place as the casket is received and attended. The most humbling moment of my life I shit you not. There were tears all over... props to the Corps from an old school Aussie. Semper Fi...
Beautifully said. Now, if we can get everyone here who expressed their love of our country to protest the disrespect being shown our Flag and National Anthem to organize their own protests to honor the iconic symbols of our nation, maybe we'll get somewhere. Our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, all family members and friends, that are, and have been on deployment, need our support. If we are unable to give our lives, like our courageous military does, then the least we should do is inundate our politicians with letters, walk a picket line, refuse to patronize any sports, store, bar, publication, etc. that condones and practices these insults to our country! Put them on notice that patriots can also protest. Tell them to GET OFF THEIR KNEES, unless it's to say a prayer to the Good Lord for all those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, for THEIR FREEDOM!!!
@Des Prenty I stand for the flag cause they cannot. When Colin Kaepernick knelt on our flag which so many soldiers fought and died for it was like twisting a 🔪 in me. If he felt so strongly about poverty-stricken areas, Black Communities, etc...why doesn't he put his time, energy, money towards those areas? Kapernick could've done it the right way also. A football stadium was not the proper venue. He could've gotten his buddies together and protest where it could do the most like a the State Capitol, National Monuments, The Whitehouse, etc... I bet he didn't think it thru.
propably those that didn't serve because they hidd in Canada or some place. It is very ill mannered to put thumb down at a video that shows the heartbreak of ANYBODY dying. It is a heartbreaking story, one of so many. These young man go to fight for "their" country and come back in a casket. This , at the time unborn child will never know it's dad and that because of a senceless war. Thank you for this wonderful video.
You aren’t a nobody, John, but someone all soldiers who serve the cause of Freedom fight for!! My husband and son each served 23 yrs for you as well!! May God Bless you, sir, and take good care!! Thank you for honoring and respecting those who serve and those who wo fell during their service to the cause of Freedom!! Blessings!!
@@tariherron6509 What a Classy Lady you are! My son has just Finished his basic training for the RAF and will now move on to his Police training. We really have a Special Relationship.🇬🇧❤️🇺🇸XX
For this young woman. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that with the love and support of your friends and family that you will be able to start to heal.
I know how I grieved over the loss of my husband , and I can't imagine having lost him this way. God bless! and protect our military , and God bless! their loved ones. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
This video, by far, is the most emotional video I have watched on youtube. I'm a 47 year old man and Im sitting here crying like a baby. For the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone would want to disrespect our great military and the brave soldiers who gave all for this great country. God bless this Marine, and his family...Semper Fi
What the Marines did for my father who served in ww2 at his funeral is unforgettable. You all make me so proud to be American. I'm a grown man with grandchildren and this about brought me to tears. God bless you and your family's from the bottom of my heart
my heart is so heavy, i love marines my dad is Vietnam vet, but it kills me inside especially to know that baby will grow without a father thst a womans heart is broken, may the lord keep him...again my condolences, and gracious grateful and deepest empathy.
I'm a 46 yr old man who served in the German Air Force. But when i see Videos of this kind of Marines, i always shed tears. It puts me always in deep sorrow........I'm saluting you all in deeply respect........Semper Fi
As a Chaplain, I SOO appreciate this. This is the hardest time for any soldier and their family. I am grateful to those who perform the hardest duty ever. Semper Fi Marine.
Being a fellow Marine this has to be hands down one of the most heart wrenching stories ever. The images are so sad, and the story sadder yet. I cannot help but tear up just of the image of her on the floor next to his casket the night before. It literally tears my heart out to see this. I was never put into a combat situation but every Marine knows it is a real possibility. We are a proud bunch and hold our heritage close to our hearts. So to all of my fellow brothers and sisters that wear the eagle globe and anchor I say Semper Fi.
Thsnk you so deeply sir for your service Thank you for being So Brave and putting upur self out there to protect us all to Defend our beautiful country,,,,God Bless you
@@bruceg.6282 You're a fricking liar!!! That was the orange blob, tRump!!! But, luckely I don't have to argue with you dumb shit about, he said it! AND tweeted it!!! All his tweets are archived, so proof of it will never be erased!!
@@haydn9600 wow, your grammar and spelling is impeccable. You must be a millennial, because you have no idea what you're talking about. Tomorrow I will send you a link to Joe Biden's speech to our troops.
My son served 4 yrs as a Marine. I'm so very proud. Lance Corporal. I'm also very grateful he came home. Even though he is messed up physically......and emotionally, I'm sure......but he won't share those thoughts with me. I understand. Being on disability now at a very young age. I built him his own cabin on the family property. He lives peacefully. It's quiet here. I can see his place from my back porch. I'm always his father. Will always look after him. I'm also very very thankful that Marines never showed up on my door step early in the morning. Lights go on in my cabin at 3am every day. The world has gone to shit since this video was released. It's 2024 now. Once a marine.......ALWAYS A MARINE! I KNOW deep in my sole there is a reason he is here with me. If your reading this..........then you know where I'm going. Those skills he has are invaluable. Thank God for MARINES
To the people of America, your pain is our pain, until good times come again... We stand by you, your friends across the water in England...God bless. ...
How kind of you Alan. We are also grateful for your constant support. Thank you so much. When my husband was being driven to the cemetery with our flag draping his coffin, strangers on the street saluted his casket. It is heartwarming to see the respect and honor given to, and from, brothers in arms. God Bless You too, Alan. Keep safe. Pray for peace.
I am a Vietnam veteran. One of my jobs was to go through the KIA's gear and personal affects for shipment home. I always viewed the body, no matter what the condition. I always said a prayer. I thought I had it rough, but my college roomie was on honor Guard detail in the 1st Naval District. He went on thirty funerals. We worked out our demons in college. We were the lucky ones. This video hit home.........Semper Fi Todd and Jim...........See you soon! Hdqters Co.2Bn - 327th PIR - 101st ABN - "No Slack" (1967-68)
You are most welcome. Some times it feels like it was a 100 years ago. Every generation has their stories about the good and bad times. I listen to those veteran's who served and continue to serve in the Middle East and I really feel for them. Three to eight tours of duty. I think that is a harder pill to swallow.
sysjls75 I'm British but live here and want to say Thank you for your and the other 59000 soldiers who fought and died. You deserved much more respect than what was given.
Thank-you again. We didn't get any parades or marching bands. The Aussie's who I served with in Vietnam got more respect when they returned home. In WI we did not get any recognition until 2011. The State held a gathering of Vietnam Vets and their families in Green Bay. A three day event which had 55K attendance. All the history of the war and all the military gear/vehicle displays filled the parking lot. The final gathering was at Lambeau Field. They had 3500 empty Chairs on the field to represent the KIA's. I was with the 101st ABN and I had to work the events selling beer representing the 101ABN Assoc. Only met three guys who I was in country with and would have had that opportunity if I hadn't been selling beer...........Thanks again for the kind words about the vets.
The British have a lot to thank America's veterans for. Americans spent the twentieth century bailing out the British who couldn't win a war on their own if their very existence depended on it. Then the British chickened out of Helmand Province in Iraq leaving it to the American boys to clean up their mess. Not to mention the mess the British left in Libya. The list goes on. You're welcome.
On the macro side of things you are absolutely correct. On the micro single soldiers, airmen and sailors did their part. When my uncle was landing on Omaha Beach on D-day with the 29th INF my other uncle was at Gold with the 55th British Inf. Bob fought with allot of good soldiers from the UK and Canada. Unfortunately, no matter what force you were with in any war, there was always the government which screwed something up..........
Thank you for sharing what these families go through while grieving. I honestly can't believe four hundred and nineteen people disliked this video! God bless these families fighting for freedom!
By far and away the Hardest job in the Military is going and telling Family members their Loved ones sacrificed their lives for their Country. Thank You to the Men and Women who do it!
I will never forget the family. How heartbroken they were, people say that combat duty is the hardest job, I agree it's both physically and mentally challenging. But to be Honor Guard is the hardest physiological battle I've ever had to endure.
I would imagine being the guy getting killed or maimed in pain , for hours while you struggle to survive , thinking about your wife or mother . Perhaps , that might be the hardest job , and notification , is the least they can do .
The bond between blood brothers in combat cannot be explained to those have not gone there. My bond with my Vietnam brothers is strong even though many are not here anymore. God is with you brother. God Bless the Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis
Being a former Marine this story was a real teary eye moment for me...."Semper Fi" to all the Marines and Marine officers who help make this tribute . " Some Gave All "
my name is thomas peterson. i was in the army for a short stint. i wanted to say this is the most heartfelt video ive seen in sometime. im sitten here right now, shedding tears for you, for me an every soldier who has died and is still serving to protect the freedoms we take for granted. please let my tears serve as a symbol of my unity an dedication to you. your victories are my victories too, your loss is my lost. your fights are my fights. i sit here an dedicate my emotions, my tears, not only in grief, but in victory that we have such wonderful ppl serving our country. i stand up, and i give you my final salute, in respect, joy, grief and loss. my heart goes out to you, my tears are for you, for him as well. thank you for your service, an the right to sit here an grieve, with tears for you, but also celebrate your courage and dedication. i stand with you, an together i fall. i thank you for your sacrifice. while i may not be there in person, i am there in thoughts prayers and tears. together we stand, and, together, we fall. As one. As one country, and as true patriots. Until we meet in heaven i say its not goodbye, its see you later. God bless the fallen an the livin. God bless the ones who served, who are still serving, an those, who have yet to serve. signed, thomas william peterson army national gaurd, 1992 Fort Leonardwood, st louis missourri now at home in colorado
Lost a really close friend while in Beirut Lebanon, Oct. 23, 1983. The hardest thing was upon my return, going to see his wife. She was broken. I was broken. We had all spent the prior Thanksgiving together as one happy family. Coming back from that place and seeing her in the state of pain ripped apart my sole. SEMPER FI TO THE FAMILY OF MIKE MASSMAN. I WILL NEVER FORGET!!!
Depends on the term soldier. Terrorists see themselves as freedom fighters and soldiers. In the USA terrorists think the same. I believe in what you have stated but from a different perspective, a terrorist would view your opinion as incorrect. That's why we need the Marines.
You guys are the best from a military family in Canada. Our one son fought in Afghanistan. I thank God every day for his safe return to us and am wiping tears away watching this. God Bless you for what you do to help the families and God Bless you all as what you do can never be easy.. You are all in my thoughts and prayers 🙏
I know this loving mother has drilled into this child what the daddy he/she never knew, did for the country he so loved and faithfully served! Perhaps he/she will follow in his footsteps. I know the mommy will understand why.
I was in flight school at Fort Rucker. While waiting for another aspect of my flight training, I was on burial detail. This was 1990 1991. I volunteered. I remember Buring a very old African American soldier, long since retired. He fought in two wars. I was proud to be going there and, as I was high school to flight school, I was the youngest man on the team. It began to rain. I'm retired from the army now and have seen alot , as you can imagine, but I still see the red clay and the feeling of the rain is so clear to me. His wife, who was obviously in her 80s was there and the reverend but few others. He outlived his children, his friends and there were so few there. We folded the flag, did our job and got in the van. I remember looking out the window and I just started to slowly cry. It was a hard one as he was just out in the country and no one there. We went to our hotel and Ill admit, we drank a few to many. I felt like he was forgotten. I was WRONG. I see it definitely different now. He had all these brothers there. Every rank color and faith but all brothers. We are never alone with God and he had an awfully big family there after all.
The words "thank you for your service" or 'I am so sorry for your loss' can adequately cover the service and sacrifice given by our military and their families. There are no words that will ever express how much we owe each and every one.
@@gadarperets3022 I absolutely resent your statement. Democrats fight and die in service to this country they love. My father and son died in war. Democrats are not taking your freedom they are fighting for it. If you had ever served you would know your brothers don't care about party they care for country. Knowing their brother has their back regardless of political affiliation is what's important. I don't want your response. You disgrace those that fight to protect freedom.
@@gadarperets3022lol, kid. Im no american. But remember this, no matter political affiliate you are, when you are in the military branch, you are belong to your nation.
I'm lost for words! I remember seeing the caskets coming off the plane during Desert Storm. But people including myself couldn't believe how many were coming home that way. Then the government decided to take it off the air cause they new the reaction of Americans wanted it to stop sending them over there. sell all I want to say how sorry I am for the families an how Great full I am for the Men & Women that served an those who are still serving I pray God Blesses an watches over each an every one of them!! An Thank You All for your Service an for the protection of America!!!!! I will never forget that image of that picture. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!
It’s been forty-one years since Ron Wolf brought my brother home from Vietnam Nam. I’ll never forget his care for the family.. his compassion for my family was exceptional. Will never forget him standing by my brothers casket at attention.
My Uncle JR was one of the Marines that was killed at Iwo Jima. It happened before I was born. I am so touched that all of the list souls are receiving the respect they have earned by their ultimate sacrifice. God bless all of our men and women who protect our freedom. 💞💞💞
My heart go out to this young mother 😭😭. She’s waiting for her husband to come home and celebrate their first child together. May God watch over her and her little one.
hey no need to hate on people that dont honor the military thats their opinion i always honor the military for their sacrifices if we didnt have the military where would we be today. under some other countries rule or wiped out. Thanks to all our past and active duty military personnel for your services and god bless you all
Glad to read that you would always honor the military, James. I do as well. As far as not hating those who do not honor them, I find it impossible to excuse that position. If you live in this country and are blessed with the freedom and liberty it provides, then the least you can do is be grateful. Freedom and liberty does not come free - there's a price to pay - and our soldiers are the ones who pay it. America is actually being invaded by people who run away from their countries to come here and enjoy her privileges - then they wave the flag of the country they escaped, or make demands, and then complain. That is the height of selfishness. You seem to be allegiant to the U.S. and I commend you for that. But I've had it with the ingratitude of trespassers. My son worked one block from the WTC on 9/11/01. He came home to me, Thank God, but that is the day I learned to hate. Not something I'm proud of, but he is my son (Same names as yours, BTW). My grandparents were immigrants and flew our beautiful flag on every National Holiday. They kissed the ground when they arrived here and instilled that devotion in me. God Bless America and our Servicemen and Women. May you come home safely, to the loving arms of family and friends. Take care.
The most incredible story I have ever seen on here. To make a bed in the funeral home for the widow AND to have the Marines stand guard all night as she slept was simply heartbreaking yet comforting. RIP
The honor and dignity of these men and woman gives me some hope for humanity. God bless this soldier and his wife. May God bless all of our armed forces , past and present, who do everthing to protect our freedom . So few do so much for our nation and the world.
wow - her love for him runs so deep - that was absolutely beautiful - and the marines were, let's just say, exemplary - I'm proud to be an American and so honored that men and women like this would defend me and my family
My older served two tours of duty in the Vietnam conflict,many of his buddies in boot camp would be with him there.. One such young man will remain with me forever ,he came to our home many times before they shipped out,this 19 year old boy would not return,shot by a sniper ,thus was very emotional for me. I also had a friend whose husband was killed in the Vietnam conflict,she described that day to me,I can’t imagine how this felt for her or this young woman.
Damn. DAMN. I swore before I watched this that I would not allow myself to get ..."misty." Damn this soft spot. I'm very sorry for the sacrifice the military families make for our country...but more so when they have to endure the supreme sacrifice. My family has deep roots in the United States Marine Corps. starting in WWII, then Korea, Vietnam, and since. I love the way the Marines take care of their fallen comrades, and the families. Semper Fi.
How any person can give a thumbs down is beyond my comprehension! The men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice to defend our Country and our rights, always deserve the outpost respect! My sons', their father and other mom, their brother, their cousins and their friends have serviced and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice. God bless them and keep them!
Bill.....I'm not trying to start some long thread spanning days, but you know what he ment.......kinda like the "YOUR" "YOU'RE " people....can we just drop the whole grammar and spelling correction on youtube.......it's a youtube comment brother.....a youtube comment.
I buried my brother last year and I appreciate the professional way the military performed the burial service and our local military cemetery. Watching this video breaks my heart. I still have a child in the military and I worry everyday. I had a father in Vietnam. I had a father-in-law shot down in Vietnam. I had a grandfather who fought at Dunkirk. I learned 2 respect the military and the sacrifices they made along with their families. For the soldiers Death March the end for them. But for the families Death March the beginning a grief and memories.
I was in the military for 12 years and this made me tear up . To have a wife like this when you are serving the country is immeasurable ! God bless you ma'am and your child and God rest your beloved husbands soul .🌿
Thank you. As the wife of a now Ret. US Army SG1C who deployed to Panama, Grenada, Bosnia, Kosovo, and both Gulf Wars as a helicopter crew chief in the 82nd Airborne, I am eternally grateful to the men and women who gave their lives in service to this country. I consider myself, my husband, and my family among the fortunate ones whose loved ones came home under their own power. I can only imagine the profound grief of those whose loved ones gave the ultimate sacrifice. We are a grateful nation. Thank you, too, to those who sacrifice a deep part of themselves to bring home their Brothers and Sisters with great care, honor, and respect. Thank you also, Todd Heisler, for encapsulating these still images, which in itself is quite profound. Let us never forget the warriors, or the sacrifices they and their families have made, so that we may remain free in the greatest country in the world.
7 years late. Man got me all chocked up. It is truly great they let her do all this and what they did for her. Standing guard while she lay there, the respect. Thank you for your service.
Our CACO is still a friend with us 5 years after our original meeting at the front door. While this is extremely unusual, being a marine myself, we bonded over him completing his duties so well. 10 days to get our Ethan home for burial, then over the next 2 weeks a flight to camp pendleton, then back and 2 memorial services. Our CACO spent more time with us then he did with his own family for those 3 weeks. A true dedication. Semper Fi!
Try not crying watching this. To all the US soldiers I want to thank you for my freedom. Thank you for being brave to go to war to protect all of us here in the USA. From the bottom of my heart I salute you and thank you. Especially to those who lost their lives so that we can live in harmony. May GOD be with you all always ❤️❤️🙏🙏😢
"For those who have fought for it, Freedom has a taste that the protected will never know, and for those who have lost it, Freedom has a taste that the protected will never appreciate" Thank you for your Service ⚘
As I watch and cry, I realize many battles are raging across globe which serve no purpose but greed, hate and death. God has given us plenty for each one to live a life of contentment but greed and hate of few brings destruction to many more. As soldiers die, they get a proper burial but think of those hundreds and thousands of innocent civilians, children and women and old .. who were killed for no fault of theirs. Loss of life is terrible and must be avoided at all costs. Hope we learn and become more humane towards each other.
Rob williams maybe they are Iraqis, who, God only knows why, would have the audacity to hate a dead American soldier sent to wreak unjustifiable havoc in their land.
This brings tears to his 50+ year old guy...and I'm not even an American. I salute all the Marines who do this enormously difficult task with honor and compassion, and to all those that have fallen. From Netherlands, with love
