Memorial Day Hero

Heros come in all forms. Naturally we think of our military heros on today, Memorial Day. But I want to honor someone who is a true hero to me – and to hundreds of military families around the world.

My father was buried at Ft. Leavenworth Kansas in 1963. It’s 1,000 miles from our home in Texas. I know because my mother and I made the trip many times. I knew how far it is from “home.”

When my mother died in 2004, naturally she wanted to be buried beside my father in Ft. Leavenworth. In fact, the picture above of my husband and our granddaughter Heather was taken on the day of Mother’s funeral. And when we left that day, I wasn’t sure how long it would be before I could see the grave again.

You see, Daddy’s marker was so old, they couldn’t carve Mother’s details on the back, as they do in military cemeteries. So they had to create a new stone for both of them.

That year I sent flowers on Mother’s birthday and their anniversary - and when I did I met my hero, Jo. She works at the Ft Leavenworth flower shop. She was patient as I cried my way through that first flower order. She promised to send a receipt through the mail. And when she did, she enclosed pictures of the flowers next to the newly marked graves.

I’ve talked to her many times since then – and each time she takes a picture of the flowers and mails it. When I asked her about it she said “So many of our families never have the chance to see their flowers – or the graves they adorn. I just think it makes them feel closer to their loved ones.”

And she’s right. It’s a little thing, but when one of your loved ones is buried so far away, it’s a nice touch to get those pictures in the mail. I had the chance to meet Jo last summer and take this picture. And I again thanked her for all she does to bring comfort to the military families around the world to whom she sends pictures.

Thank you, Jo, for being a hero to all of us!