A flag I can keep forever

I am old enough to know a lot of military veterans and others who have known veterans in other generations in all manner of circumstances. This story stands out for it’s matter of fact presentations of one of anyone’s most dreaded moments.

My Friend: “One day, when I was in the 3^rd grade living at Oceanside, California adjacent to Camp Pendleton the legendary United States Marine Corp base, Kenny a friend wasn’t in school. After I got home I walked to his house in an adjacent apartment building to find him sitting on the steps near the front door.

There was a gray truck parked out front and sailors were quietly loading boxes into it.

“We’re going home,” he said, “Mother says Dad’s not coming back.”

After I assured him his Dad was probably just lost, and would show up one day, my mother called me to supper. As I said goodbye and turned to leave he said,

“My Dad told me, if this ever happened I would get my own flag to keep forever. I’ll just wait here until I get it,”

After supper I went back but he was gone. His apartment was empty. I figured he got his flag and went home. I never saw or heard from him again.

By the way in a day or so a new family moved into Kenny’s apartment with an older girl and baby. But, it was always Kenny’s apartment.”