After a week of non-stop rain that brought Irvine more than half of its normal annual rainfall, Christmas Day dawned clear and sunny. By mid-afternoon the clouds returned as another round of storms approached.
My twenty-something daughter was home for a holiday visit. I heard the front door open and she came in looking sad. She had stopped by the Memorial and waves of emotion washed over her as she contemplated the loss felt by so many families across the country on this Christmas Day. She said someone had placed flowers in front of each sentinel and a Christmas wreath along the top of the wall. We cut the sole rosebud in our garden and my wife, daughter and I headed over to the Memorial as a family.
While we were there another 8 people stopped at the Memorial, and several people passing in cars honked and waved. We were so happy that our neighbors are taking time to remember our fallen heroes on this special day. I hope that Gold Star families know in their hearts that their loved ones are in our hearts year-round.
