We should never forget to pay special tribute to those who have died serving our country. Those serving in our Armed Forces sacrificing everything, including their limbs and lives if that’s what is required of them, deserve more than just a day or two out of the year. Although it seems like so little when compared to those who sacrificed their all, here are 23 powerful Military photos that are guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye.
1. This little boy’s father died while serving in Afghanistan. His mom caught him visiting with his father’s portrait. This just breaks my heart.
2. This Labrador Retriever, named Hawkeye, refused to leave the side of his owner, Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson, who was killed in Afghanistan when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his helicopter.
3. Richard Barnett, a US Navy Hospital Corpsman, holds a child that was separated from her family during the Iraq War in 2003.
4. Two soldiers comforting each other after their comrade was wounded while on patrol by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
5. Two soldiers comfort each other during the Korean War in the early 1950’s.
6. Joseph Dwyer removes an injured boy away from a dangerous area during the Iraq War.
7. A US Military police officer is comforted after seeing some Iraqi children who were brought to the base after being seriously injured.
8. This touching photo of a little boy saying goodbye to his father one last time.
9. Terri Gurrola has a very emotional reunion with her daughter after serving in Iraq for 7 months.
10. A soldier meets his baby for the very first time. You can feel the emotion. The things these soldiers sacrifice for us while they are serving are unimaginable. I’m so glad he made it home to his family!
11. Specialist Dean Oldt, a marksman with the 101st Airborne, has a touching reunion with his father.
12. A Reservist says goodbye to his family before being deployed to the Gulf War.
13. An army soldier stands guard at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier even through a snowstorm. The tomb of the unknown soldier symbolizes all soldiers who died for our country who where unable to be identified.
14. Sgt. Eric Hille sits at the grave of his friend Sgt. Eric Holke who was killed by an IED while they were on a mission in Iraq in 2007. Hille honored his fallen friend by walking 13 miles to Riverside National Cemetery in full military gear.
15. Surprise Homecoming – This soldier surprised his daughter at her soccer game. I love how you can feel the emotion when you look at this picture
16. A deployed father meets his newborn child for the very first time via Skype.
17. A 5-year-old Whitey Bernard says, “Wait for me, Daddy!” as he ran from his mother to reach for his father’s hand as he was waiting to board a train to war in 1940.
18. Mary McHugh visits the grave of her fiance, Sgt. James Regan, who was killed by an IED explosion in Iraq.
19. A tearful reunion between a father and daughter. I cry whenever I see pictures or videos of soldiers returning home to their families.
20. A soldier is reunited with man’s best friend. Pets miss their soldier’s too. I think it’s almost harder on them since they can’t understand what is going on when their favorite person leaves and never comes back.
21. I was unable to find the story behind this picture but it truly touches my heart. I feel for this little boy standing at his father’s feet.
22. Eight year old Christian Golczynski accepting the flag for his father, Marine Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski, during his memorial service. This picture always breaks my heart, I cry just seeing this little boy trying to be strong.
23. Two days after being notified of her husband’s death, Katherine Cathey found out they were having a boy who was to be born on December 23, 2005. He was named after his father James Jeffrey Cathey, Jr. This is Katherine pressing her pregnant belly to her husband’s casket.
These photos truly touched my heart and made me cry. I feel for all the families that have loved ones risking their lives fighting for our country. I love seeing the pictures of soldiers who have made it home. And the pictures of those who do not come home make me mourn for them and their families, even though I do not know them. They died for me and for you, and my hope is that this Memorial Day we all truly honor those that have fallen while protecting our amazing country. They give their lives for us, the least we can do is honor them and show our thanks.