My boys knew their boy. They were college fraternity brothers together. And then, the word came. Josh was gone. Killed by an IED in Afghanistan while serving in the Army. It is on this Memorial Day weekend that I think, especially, of Josh Steele
My grown sons who had known Josh so well came back home for his funeral. I still see a sadness in them today whenever we talk about Josh.
And they drove over to Illinois to say goodbye and to stand tall with others along the little town’s main road – where local firefighters and motorcycle riders and every farmer from miles around came out to pay their respects and to thank Josh’s family for his service.
Later, it came time for the dedication service of a new lounge at the ROTC department where Josh went to college, and I took my camera and notepad to cover it for the local paper.
I watched from the sidelines as my own son stood at attention with the same ROTC unit that Josh once called his own.
Afterward, I met Josh’s mom. She and I bonded because our boys bonded. I told her, “You know, my boys loved your boy.” And we hugged and agreed to see each other again soon. We have developed a friendship — not only she and I, but also Josh’s dad and my husband, too. We are four friends now who meet not often enough for dinner and politics.
But you know what? I love that boy, too, and all the girls and boys who have gone before him and since come home in a coffin draped with a flag and sacrificed all for us. How can you not love someone who was willing to give you the ultimate gift?
When we go outside to Memorial Day parades and barbecues and ball games, let’s remember how much we love those other people’s kids. And why.
