Shelly wiped her tears as they approached. The soldier wheeled the woman to Shelly and stopped. “Shelly, you don’t know me, and I don’t know you. My name is Joanne. Shelly, if not for Mark, I would have lost my leg or even my life. He was a brave and patriotic man.” Shelly tried not to cry, but it was impossible.
“Shelly, I begged my commander to be here today and to be the one to present this flag to you. Mark risked his life for me and then gave his life saving others.” She began to cry. “The thing is, I wish I didn’t have to be here today. I wish Mark was alive.” Shelly managed a weak “Thank you” as she accepted the folded flag. Shelly thanked Joanne weakly as she (sadly) accepted the folded flag that her beloved husband Mark had loved since he was eight years old, the flag that had meant so much to him throughout his life, the flag that now would remain a lasting memory of his love and devotion to his country.
