I commute down Route 93 from New Hampshire into Massachusetts everyday for work. It is a long drive and Thursday, May 25th was no different. Shortly after crossing into Massachusetts, I changed lanes and found myself following one of those big, king cab, heavy duty pick up trucks with several stickers on the bumper. The bright, cleanliness of one sticker in particular caught my eye. It was approximately 4" X 6", with the narrow side at the top. It was glistening white in color and had a small, gold border around the outside. In the center was a single, two inch, 5 point, gold star.

Directly beneath that, was the Eagle, Globe and Anchor of the United States Marine Corps. I had to stare at this sticker for a moment before I realized what I was looking at.

It is a tradition in many households dating back to World War I. A family who had someone serving in the military during a time of war, would hang a cloth banner in their window. It was snow white in color with a small red border around the outside. A blue, 5 point star would be sewn in the middle of the banner for each member of the family serving in harm's way. If that person were killed in battle, their blue star was exchanged for a gold one.

The mothers of these men and women, were known as "Gold Star Mothers".

The man driving this truck was a "Gold Star Father". And his son was a United States Marine who had died serving our Country. Judging by the "newness" of the decal, he had died recently, probably in Iraq. A lump formed in my throat. I suddenly needed to cry as memories flooded over me. I remembered how my hands shook as I placed a folded American Flag into the hands of Corporal Bean's mother. He was one of my Marines. And I remembered how dry my throat was and how my voice cracked, as I uttered those useless words, "On behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation... Useless, because they will never bring her boy back.

I remembered participating in a memorial service for the Servicemen from New Hampshire who were killed during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. There were 12 sets of parents there and I was asked to give a red rose to each mother. I would take a single rose from a bouquet in the front of the room and walk to where that mother sat and hand it to her, saying "My respects, Ma'am", or "Thank you for your sacrifice". Each trip back to the bouquet became harder and harder. It felt like their eyes watched my every movement and asked accusingly, why I had survived and their child had not. Survivor's guilt, I guess.

These images and feelings flashed by in an instant and the "Gold Star Father" exited the highway moments after I first saw him. That's when I realized that man did not want my tears. He did not want my sympathy. By displaying that decal, he wants everyone who sees it, to remember his son's sacrifice. He wants us to remember that his son died for our freedom. He died protecting us. The decal, without saying a thing, screamed "Remember my son! He died for you! Whether you deserve it or not!"

Just like Jesus did.

Thank you & Semper Fidelis