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This I came up with after I saw a post that I will place on the bottom. 

Barnes Cross

"The Barnes Cross is given to those who showed exceptional acts of sacrifice in the line of service above and beyond the call of duty. It is not limited to those serving in any branch of enforcement. It is impartial but rare and in its 70-year history has only been awarded 47 times. It is given with both great pride and sadness as it is a reminder of those who give their lives in honor of our country, our freedoms, and liberty. Its name is synonymous with utmost loyalty and sacrifice in service of country and state.

We are gathered here today to impart the 48 Barnes Cross on one Jack Riley, 2nd Lieutenant of the 58th Pararescue Squadron for the Khali Kandiel mission. In his death, he rescued 23 souls. May he never be forgotten and live on like all Barnes recipients, in our hearts."

Sam could barely see straight as the speaker finished. His best friend was gone.
 They hadn't even found a body. The flag was draped over an empty box.

 The Barnes cross. He couldn't even be glad. That was the most coveted award one could receive.
It didn't bring him back.

Sam paid his last respects without being able to see past his tears and quit Pararescue.
It took him a year before he put his psychological degree to good use and got a job at the VA helping other vets come back. Worrying about others’ trauma helped him slowly recover from his own.
 But sleep was hard in the night he had only his mind to keep him company and it could get dark quickly. The early mornings became his friend.

A run along the most beautiful monuments in the US as the sun came up framing the patriotic nature of the Mall was good for the soul.

 And so he ran.

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Comments

  1. UnknownApril 23, 2020 at 10:15 AM

    I love to see how the "thought dominoes" fall in your writing! How an article about Bruce Barnes sent your thoughts to Sam's loss ... beautiful.

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