A Memorial Day Memory from Gerald Gerhardt

"You see, Gerald, when a soldier dies in the war, the government presents the parents an American flag to hang in the front window of their home." I glanced out of the window of the car and saw not one, not two, but three flags hanging in the front window of that modest little gray house with a huge well-worn elm tree in the front yard and the old goat pens out in back.

Mom and Dad Gano, I wish I could take your hands in mine and squeeze them, oh, so tightly. I want to look deep into your eyes until I see into your very souls and just say, "Thank you... Thank you for your unspeakable gift to our wonderful country and thank you for what you gave to that little kid on 19th Avenue."