nt came on Memor

, mine. His father, General Miller, was a hero. My own

t the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery together. It was a tradition I cherish

y case. Inside, on a bed of rich, dark velvet, rested General Miller's folded burial flag and his Navy Cross, the nation's

oor and my breath

se was

carelessly to the side. In its place, gleaming under th

knew who they belonged to. Brenda had m

e doorway, a dust cloth in her hand, a

I asked, my vo

ght it was only right. My husband, he served too

, had been dishonorably discharged. To place his tarnished tags next to a Navy Cross

nto the case, snatched the dog tags, and threw them acros

d. "Get out of my h

r pious mask falling away to reveal t

ing her arm and pulling h

led into the driveway. He got out, saw Brenda cryin

me, ignoring my a

he yelled, gettin

our father's memorial case!" I shout

Brenda sobbed from the steps, r

h a fury I had never seen before. "She

n he sl

on my cheek was nothing compared to the shock that paralyze

, a black town car p

composed as always, ready for o

eek in disbelief; Liam, his hand still raised, his face contorted wit

mask of dignified streng

r, abject terror. She scrambled to her feet and tried

was a whisper of ice and