If you had to describe this story to somebody who hasn't read it, what would you tell them?
9 comments:
Anonymous
said...
If I were to describe this story to someone who hadn't read it (which I have done), I would basically start off by just simply stating it's about the, "Knock at the door." Hopefully, anyone who is an American understands what that means. Just by mentioning that this is what a main element of the article is about allows people to prepare themselves for what you are about to tell them. I would then proceed to mention how many families were involoved and give background to their stories. I would tell them the protection, care, and devotion that the marine brothers put into watching over their fallen brother and his family. The final thing, the part that hit me the hardest, was when Katherine Cathey is shown sleeping by her husband-to-be's casket with her lap-top playing the songs they would have danced to at their wedding. She was sleeping there, pregnant, on an air mattress set-up by her fiancee's fellow marines, with a sole marine watching over her and the casket all night. This section of the story is the part where I normally try to spend the time covering the most details on because in my mind it is the closure that is also hard to bare. That is basically how I have described this story to people, although I don't think I served it much justice compared to the actual text itself.
If I had to describe this story to someone, I would first ask them if they had ever lost a loved one. I would then ask them how they were informed of the death. This would create a background so they can feel the emotion. I would then give the job description of the marines whose mission is to spread the word of death to the family of the deceased soldier. I would describe the unwritten parts of the job, such as the care for the family and the support for friends. At this point, I would begin to describe Jim Cathey and his wife Katherine. I would tell of Katherine's reaction to the news of her husband's death in Iraq. The portion on the funeral and Katherine's night at the church near Jim's casket would also be described, though no explanation can serve justice to the brotherhood of the marines and Katherine's love for Jim. I would then tell the person whom I described it to that they should read the article because nothing could capture the true emotion of the original.
I would describe this as a story about a Marine with an unusual job. His job was to break the terrible news of a death to a grieving family. I would make it clear that it is a very difficult job, but I would describe how rewarding Major Beck finds it to be. I would also talk about the relationships that Beck is able to develop with the families that he works with.
I would describe the article as a story describing the aspect of the military that few choose to acknowledge. I'd say that it details the emotional problems that having this particular job brings to the marine themself, and I'd be sure to describe to them how in depth it goes with the description of the conversations that happen with the families of the dead marine.
I would just tell them to read it. There is no way I could put those words into my own. I think for them to fully grasp and understand all of the emotions behind the story they would need to read it themselves. I would only tell them it involves people in hard times of crisis. If they want to know more they can read the article themselves.
Rae J. I would have a hard time describing a story like this. It means so many things. It's the story of a soldier who lost his life, a family losing their loved one. If I just said that, people might not want to read it. However, they would be very greatful if they did read it, because it is one of the most moving, hard-hitting, and well written stories.
If i had to explain what this article was about i would tell someone it takes you through what really happenes with the family when someone in the marines dies. i would tell them it talks about how much work Beak goes through to help the family. I would tell them it provides you with stories about how far the marines will go to make a wife or a mother comfortable. For example, the marinies stressing that the bed for Katherine Cathey be made very nicely.
Dealing with death is one of the most challenging things we as society are forced to deal with. The pain felt is even worse when faced with the untimely death of a loved one: a daughter, son, husband or wife, a father or mother, brother or sister, or anyone that you are close to. This story presents the often unwelcome reminder that the deaths of our American soldiers are far more than just a statistic. Maj. Steve Beck is required on a daily basis to visit families who have lost a loved one overseas and tell them of their loss. This story profiles American families who have gone through the worst thing imaginable if a loved one is serving overseas - they are faced with a profound loss and we are given a firsthand look at what that is really like.
If i were to describe this to someone, i would probably tell the person that this is a story that shows you what families that lose their loved ones through wars go through, It also shows you how the Lts. who break the news to the families feel about their job, and on top of that,it shows how intelligent Journalist like Sheeler go about stories like this. To me this is the most heart catching stories i have ever read.
9 comments:
If I were to describe this story to someone who hadn't read it (which I have done), I would basically start off by just simply stating it's about the, "Knock at the door." Hopefully, anyone who is an American understands what that means. Just by mentioning that this is what a main element of the article is about allows people to prepare themselves for what you are about to tell them. I would then proceed to mention how many families were involoved and give background to their stories. I would tell them the protection, care, and devotion that the marine brothers put into watching over their fallen brother and his family. The final thing, the part that hit me the hardest, was when Katherine Cathey is shown sleeping by her husband-to-be's casket with her lap-top playing the songs they would have danced to at their wedding. She was sleeping there, pregnant, on an air mattress set-up by her fiancee's fellow marines, with a sole marine watching over her and the casket all night. This section of the story is the part where I normally try to spend the time covering the most details on because in my mind it is the closure that is also hard to bare. That is basically how I have described this story to people, although I don't think I served it much justice compared to the actual text itself.
Carolyn B.
If I had to describe this story to someone, I would first ask them if they had ever lost a loved one. I would then ask them how they were informed of the death. This would create a background so they can feel the emotion. I would then give the job description of the marines whose mission is to spread the word of death to the family of the deceased soldier. I would describe the unwritten parts of the job, such as the care for the family and the support for friends. At this point, I would begin to describe Jim Cathey and his wife Katherine. I would tell of Katherine's reaction to the news of her husband's death in Iraq. The portion on the funeral and Katherine's night at the church near Jim's casket would also be described, though no explanation can serve justice to the brotherhood of the marines and Katherine's love for Jim. I would then tell the person whom I described it to that they should read the article because nothing could capture the true emotion of the original.
Pat M
Rick M.
I would describe this as a story about a Marine with an unusual job. His job was to break the terrible news of a death to a grieving family. I would make it clear that it is a very difficult job, but I would describe how rewarding Major Beck finds it to be. I would also talk about the relationships that Beck is able to develop with the families that he works with.
Steve R.
I would describe the article as a story describing the aspect of the military that few choose to acknowledge. I'd say that it details the emotional problems that having this particular job brings to the marine themself, and I'd be sure to describe to them how in depth it goes with the description of the conversations that happen with the families of the dead marine.
I would just tell them to read it. There is no way I could put those words into my own. I think for them to fully grasp and understand all of the emotions behind the story they would need to read it themselves. I would only tell them it involves people in hard times of crisis. If they want to know more they can read the article themselves.
Rae J.
I would have a hard time describing a story like this. It means so many things. It's the story of a soldier who lost his life, a family losing their loved one. If I just said that, people might not want to read it. However, they would be very greatful if they did read it, because it is one of the most moving, hard-hitting, and well written stories.
Britney M
If i had to explain what this article was about i would tell someone it takes you through what really happenes with the family when someone in the marines dies. i would tell them it talks about how much work Beak goes through to help the family. I would tell them it provides you with stories about how far the marines will go to make a wife or a mother comfortable. For example, the marinies stressing that the bed for Katherine Cathey be made very nicely.
Justin D.
Dealing with death is one of the most challenging things we as society are forced to deal with. The pain felt is even worse when faced with the untimely death of a loved one: a daughter, son, husband or wife, a father or mother, brother or sister, or anyone that you are close to. This story presents the often unwelcome reminder that the deaths of our American soldiers are far more than just a statistic. Maj. Steve Beck is required on a daily basis to visit families who have lost a loved one overseas and tell them of their loss. This story profiles American families who have gone through the worst thing imaginable if a loved one is serving overseas - they are faced with a profound loss and we are given a firsthand look at what that is really like.
Mohamed A
If i were to describe this to someone, i would probably tell the person that this is a story that shows you what families that lose their loved ones through wars go through, It also shows you how the Lts. who break the news to the families feel about their job, and on top of that,it shows how intelligent Journalist like Sheeler go about stories like this.
To me this is the most heart catching stories i have ever read.
Post a Comment