Yesterday I Laid A Wreath

Yesterday was Wreaths Across America. I attended the ceremony at Fort Stewart and it was called Wreaths For Warriors Walk. It was a chilly day, but the sky was as beautiful a blue as it could be. This year I laid my wreath on the tree of David Kirkpatrick. A young man I never met, but I sent off to Iraq. a young man whose family I have become quite fond of. They live in Indiana, so in their absence I chose his tree. I also took some Christmas ornaments to hang in his tree. I got my wreath from a table covered in green wreaths with red ribbons..all waiting to be placed on their trees. I walked to his tree and was surprised to see the teddy bear I placed there in July still there and in good shape. I placed his wreath at the trunk of his tree and fluffed the red bow. I placed his bear in the middle of the wreath. I then placed the faded family photo next to the bear. I thought of the family who has been left with a hole..an empty place that will never be filled. I swallowed the tears and let out a deep breath. I was surprised when i turned to see a tall young man in Class A's and a CAV hat standing behind me watching me..his wife by his side. I turned back to the tree and hung his stocking. Feeling a little unnerved by them standing behind me I turned and asked if he knew David? He stepped forward and said," Yes mam..he was my room mate." I asked him if he'd like to help me hang the ornaments on the tree? " I would love to help you mam." he said. So together he and i decorated the tree. He talked about David and all the good times they had together. He said he missed him terribly. I had a silver star in the bag of ornaments..and I told him it seemed only fitting that he put the star on the tree. His eyes welled up with tears and he said thank you. He chose a branch high up in the tree for the star and tied it.We stood back and admired our work and talked for a bit longer. I asked if he had ever met David's family? He said no because he was deployed and with those words his voice broke and tears filled his eyes once more. He said it should have been him that night instead of David. He said he blamed himself. I hugged him and told him no...I put my hand on his shoulder and looked up at him..looked him in the eyes and shook my head no. I told him things happen that we can't control. It was not his fault and for him not to blame himself..as i spoke to him tears fell down my own cheeks. My heart broke for this young man..this proud young soldier standing before me so filled with remorse. I had no comfort to offer him. No words i could say could help his pain. I could only try to reassure him that it wasn't his fault..and when my words fell silent we turned our attention back to the tree of his friend. It was then that we noticed..OUR tree was the ONLY one blooming. The tiny pink flowers in all their glory..right there for this special day..on this special tree..of a special young man whose life was taken too soon.

He Brought It Home...

I spent much of November sending off the Texas National Guard. The fact that Thanksgiving was only a few weeks away didn't escape me. I couldn't help but think of them and their families on Thanksgiving. the empty chairs they would have at the dinner tables on that day and every day until the deployment is over. I got to spend a lot of time with several of the deploying national guardsmen. I made several good friends..so my heart has been a bit heavier this year than usual. But my life as a volunteer is an emotional roller coaster..I go from sending soldiers off and them miss Thanksgiving to bringing them home just in time for Christmas. I worked my first redeployment (homecoming) for this particular brigade last night. Most people who read my blog know about my angel pennies. I have worked hundreds of flights now and have easily given away hundreds of pennies. So I don't remember where all the pennies go..some yes..all NO. Last night on the tarmac I had a group of over 300 soldiers come home. As I was driving to the flight I noticed the gate to get on post was decorated with wreaths, garland and lights. As I passed thru I remembered thinking how awesome it was that the first Christmas lights these soldiers would see would be the ones where they are exiting the post. It seemed fitting in some way..like a greeting to them..a welcome home. So with that on my mind I went to the terminal to wait for the plane. And right on time the unmistakeble roar of the engines could be heard. I haven't had a plane come home yet that didn't give me butterflies. There is NO sight like seeing a soldier touch US soil again for the first time. Words cant describe the sense of pride you feel. For a group of over 300 this group was pretty quiet and laid back. and as they made their way inside they weren't rushed. Almost everyone of them made eye contact with me as he shook my hand..and every one said "thank you". It's truly moving when one wants to hug you..and you say "welcome home" and they quietly say.."thank you mam" as their head is against yours. We never go inside the terminal until the very last soldier is in. Each one gets welcomed home. The terminal is a huge open room...So I'm walking across this huge open room filled with soldiers and one soldier is making a bee line right for me. I don't realize it's ME he's coming to until he holds his arm and points to me. I stop..kinda stunned wondering what i had done wrong this time! lol...he gets close to me and says" 14 months ago as i was about to walk out to the plane, you gave me something. You told me to hang on to it and bring it back to you when I came home. I have had it with me every day of those 14 months. To be honest mam..I don't really want to give it back unless you really want it." I was grinning..and I knew what it was he had..but I asked anyway..he said," Mam it's a penny..and it has an angel cut out of it. And like I said you can have it back if you want it..because I gave you my word and all..I was worried the whole time I was over there because I couldn't remember what you looked like. and i was afraid I wouldn't know you..but as soon as i spotted you outside i remembered your smile..and I said to myself..THATS HER!!..so here I am mam." By this time I'm near tears..I hug him..and as i hug him I tell him, " No..you keep the angel..she's yours. I didn't want YOU to bring HER back...I wanted HER to bring YOU back...welcome home."