|
Weird
things seem to always happen to me, both good and bad. Here
is one good one that I will simply describe through email correspondence.
First,
I got an email from a friend with the subject line of "This
picture spoke to me."
This
Marine was also featured in the Seattle P.I., but it was a
side shot.
I
found this one on Drudge.
The
caption in the P.I. states:
Marine
Sgt. Ethan Rocke, 26, from San Diego, cries as taps is played
during interment ceremonies for former President Reagan
at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
My
thought on seeing the photo: Yup, me too Sgt. Rocke
I
know it may sound cheesey, but I found the emotion on this
soldier very moving. What a beautiful funeral out in Cali
last night. If there was a way to end this week perfectly,
that was it.
Stephanie
To
this, I responded to her by writing:
I
mirrored this look when I opened this file. What an incredible
image. A tough Marine, named Sgt. Rocke nonetheless, symbolizing
what the Marines thought of President Reagan.
A
few days later, I got this email out of the blue:
Hi
Jason -- Thanks for posting a picture of my nephew, Ethan
Rocke, on your web page. Our family is very proud of him.
He's a wonderful young man.
Here
was my response to his aunt.
Ms.
(),
What
a wonderful surprise. You might be interested how I came across
the picture.
I
graduated high school in 1987 and in 1997 I was going to The
Basic School, learning to be an Officer of Marines. I missed
my ten year reunion but got in contact with an old girlfriend
who saw my email on the reunion list. I had gone out with
her in junior high school and had not seen her since we graduated.
Since then, we’ve kept in contact via email.
She
sent me the picture with the following message:
--------------------------------------------------------
(see above)
--------------------------------------------------------
You
see, President Reagan had a deep respect for Marines and we
loved him for it. Without knowing it, your nephew symbolized
the entire Marine Corps’ feelings in one shot. He is
not your nephew in that picture; he IS the Corps and we thank
him for saying what we felt without uttering a word.
She
then forwarded this message to Sgt Rocke and here is what I
heard from him:
Dear
Sir,
I
received an email last night from my aunt () titled "A
very nice message about you." I must say the forwarded
message contained therein was quite accurately described by
this subject line.
I'm
speaking, of course, about what you wrote about the photo
of me at President Reagan's funeral. Your sentiments warmed
my heart and filled me up with pride.
The
notion that I said what the Corps felt without uttering a
word is quite touching to me.
I'm
not sure if you're aware, but I'm a combat correspondent and
photojournalist by trade, and therefore, communicating with
images is an art form I study and practice a great deal. I
think the irony of the situation is obvious in this case,
so I won't elaborate on that.
However,
I thought you might be interested in hearing "the rest
of the story." ..."An
American Hero," is an editorial I wrote about Reagan,
which was published in my newspaper (when I say "my newspaper,
I mean The Chevron, the MCRD San Diego base paper -- I'm the
editor). The editorial ran in the June 11 edition of the Chevron.
I'm sure you'll find it stimulating.
...
vrs,
Semper
Fidelis,
Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke
Editor, The Chevron
Public Affairs Office
MCRD San Diego
|