I can’t really say that Memorial Day has been much to me other than a nice three-day weekend, a chance to catch up on yard work, have a nice BBQ with family, and post the obligatory picture of Bud on Facebook.  Sure, I have felt that swell of patriotism, and encouraged my kids to think about the sacrifice that was made by the Byrnes family, but I never really understood that sacrifice.  I probably don’t fully understand it now.

Bud was really just a kind of ghost to me.  Not any more.  Not since last June.  Through the letters he wrote home I can now really think about the person he was, and the immense loss that must have been felt.  I now feel the loss of never meeting him, but those letters just bring me right back to the hard working, friendly, faithful guy he was.   I’ve been thinking a lot about this with the students in my school.  I want them to know that writing can give you the opportunity to be seen and known, just like Bud’s letters have done for him.  When you want to tell a great story – write.  When you want to share your struggles – write.  When you want to explain something – write.  Be seen and be known.

I’m grateful that all of those letter were kept safe and sound by Anna.  And now there’s a place to go to remember him and to honor him.  And each year, we’ll place the flag for him on Memorial Day – a day that will never quite be the same!