Man those last two sentences are perfect. It is interesting that part of the grieving process is moving on. Great work and welcome back! You were missed.

hm.. if we forget we are doomed to repeat history..

Ooh, cutting. I really like this. It’s very thought out and hits home quite well without being melodramatic. Nice job keeping it vague enough that it could be in reference to some far off, fantasy war or one more real and close to home.

Iraq?

I’ve been there before. Before a memorial of names I had no connection to, and I felt the same way. But when I see a mother touch the name of her son, crying, saying goodbye, saying I’ll see you later and then walking away hung on someone’s shoulder, that’s when I get choked up. The names mean nothing until they spell someone you were incredibly close to.