I have created this blog to hopefully inspire average, everyday Americans to do their part in supporting our troops by being “An American Worth Dying For.” If you are new to the site, please read oldest to newest.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Dear Coston:

Dear Coston:

It was an honor to meet you today, little man. You won't remember this day but it is a day I will never forget. Your daddy's name, Sgt. Grant A. Wichmann will forever be burned into my heart.

I can only imagine the joy your daddy must have felt when he held you for the first time when you were three months old. I can't imagine the pain he must have felt two weeks later when he had to leave you again for the battlefield. I know his chest must have been bursting with pride as he looked down on you today, sitting on your mommy's lap atop my hearse. You were so composed as you talked to the big black horse carrying your daddy home.

I'm sure there will be times when your mommy looks in to your pretty blue eyes, your daddy's eyes, that she will shed a tear.

And I'm sure there will be times as you get older, that you will look at your daddy's picture on the wall and ask why you had to give your daddy up for my freedom. I will ask the same question, and have no answer. For surely I am not worthy of it.

But I hope you will find comfort in knowing your daddy was a brave and honorable soldier who gave his life so that you and your mommy would have a better life.

I am so sorry that you only had two weeks with your daddy. The ten minutes I shared with you and your mommy and daddy together on my coach will be with me for a lifetime.

In was an honor to meet you today, little man.

Lorraine

4 comments:

Thin Air Stories said...

While it was such a sad occasion - every solider funeral is - it was so adorable to hear Coston talking to Duke. Every time Rainy told Duke to walk on, then little Coston would coo to him. Hopefully Jason got a cute picture of him.

Unknown said...

The heart of the whole universe, well said.
From your cousin Paula Hemstrom

Anonymous said...

Bless you for what you are doing to honor these soldiers and their families who have given so much for us. I "know" the Wichmann family in a very remote sense, and have been so touched by their story. Thank you for doing something so special for them.

Jill A. said...

Very touching letter. Thank you for sharing and for doing what you do for these families.