Happy 2nd Birthday Jimmy!

Katherine Cathey was 5 months pregnant when her husband James was killed while conducting combat operations in Iraq on August 21, 2005. On her son's first birthday, United States Marine Colonel Steve Beck presents Jimmy Cathey with the Scholarship of Honor medal in honor of
his Dad, USMC 2nd Lt. James Cathey.

The inscription to little Jimmy on the back of the medal reads: Your selfless service, heroic deeds and love for your Marines will never be forgotten. From this day forward, the manner by which you lived your life, with enthusiasm, with vigor, and with an energy rarely witnessed, will forever stand as an inspiration to those who take on the noble challenge of serving their fellow man. “Happy 1st Birthday Jimmy, your daddy is watching over you.” 22 December 2006

The James Cathey Scholarship of Honor was established at Reno High School and first presented in 2007. Thanks to the Remembering the Brave Foundation, this will be a perpetual tribute to James. Maybe one day James' son, will present this scholarship in honor of his Dad...what a great honor that would be!

Dad had the chance to meet Katherine at the Medal of Honor Patriot Dinner in Denver this past September where she was recognized as a Gold Star family.

Happy 2nd Birthday Jimmy, your daddy continues to watch over you.

Col. Steve Beck and Jimmy Photo by: Judy DeHaas, Rocky Mountain News
Katherine Cathey with Doug LaViolette