Even though I cry each time I see this image I felt I had to share this heart warming story too. I first saw this picture on Fox News last night. The picture of this devoted canine companion brought tears to my eyes, and a lump in my throat. I was unable to speak at first, but knew I had to learn more about the man in the casket too. Jon Tumilson was born on July 1, 1976 in Osage, Iowa. He died August 6, 2011 when a rocket-propelled grenade disabled the helicopter he was in, killing 30 Americans and 8 Afghans. The picture was taken by his cousin, Lisa. "I took this picture and that was my view throughout the entire funeral. I couldn't not take a picture", she told US television network ABC News. Lisa also went on to say, "It took several attempts since every time I wasn't crying and could focus on taking it, there was a SEAL at the microphone and I didn't want to take a picture with them for security and respect reasons. Our family is devastated to say the least." This devoted canine, Hawkeye led his family down the aisle into the funeral service in Rockford, Iowa. As Scott Nichols rose to deliver a eulogy, Hawkeye heaved a sigh and dropped to the ground in front of Petty Officer Tumilson 's casket. A total of 38 people died when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down on Aug 6 in the eastern province of Wardak, including seven Afghan troops and an interpreter. My heart aches for the family of Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson who was laid to rest on Friday. Hawkeye's devotion to his owner will remain in my heart for a long time.
Thank you for posting this. i missed it last night but my husband commented on it to me. now, i understand a bit more. that we love life and respect death is the human in us.
Mushroom Cloud, a fact-based historical novel, is the first book of The First Strike Trilogy: USA and the Soviet Union are building nuclear arms for a face off in a potential nuclear war in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
