1204146...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. During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as one of the most powerful in the process: "See the people in the windows? They'll sit right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home," he said. "They're going to remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should."

1204174...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. The gold star flag in the window signifies the death of a loved one overseas.

1204175...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. "For me, having all this back is a good thing," she said a few minutes later. "I want to remember. I don't ever want to forget, or to stop feeling." Bob Burns then took her hand. "I don't want to forget either," he said. "I just don't want to hurt."

1204176...Marine Sgt. Jeremy Kocher stands watch near the body of Lance Cpl. Evenor Herrera in Eagle, Colo., as children and adults from the area poured in to pay their respects. Like many of the Marines stationed at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Kocher says the funeral detail is the most difficult mission he's ever done. "I actually start thinking about it the moment I wake up. It's such an important job that I just don't want to mess it up," he said. "I just want it to be perfect."

1204177...Gilma Miranda, 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, Colo., on Aug. 19, 2005. Herrera, who was killed in Iraq, was buried at Sunset View Cemetery in Eagle.

1204178...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, Colo. 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.

1204210...Blanca Stibbs, 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, Colo., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2005.

1204211...Lori DeMille of Oceanside, Calif., touches the headstone of fallen Marine Lance Corporal Kyle Burns at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Friday, April 29, 2005. DeMille had befriended Burns, a Laramie, Colo., native, while he was stationed at Camp Pendleton, and was in Denver to attend a ceremony honoring the Marine's actions in Iraq.

1204212...Jo Burns, center, of Laramie, Wyo., comforts Corporal Dustin Barker, 22, during a ceremony honoring the actions of fallen Marines on Saturday, April 30, 2005. Jo Burns' son, Lance Corporal Kyle Burns, was killed in action in Iraq on Nov. 11, 2004. Corporal Barker served with Lance Corporal Burns in Iraq, and was with him when he was killed.

1204213...During a formal ceremony called "Remembering the Brave," families of fallen Marines were presented with posthumous medals. Major Steve Beck prepares to present a medal.