I just wanted to share with you an experience I had last night (July 3rd) at a AAA Baseball Game in Tacoma Washington. The hometown Tacoma Rainier's were playing my team, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. During the game I hung-out with a 6 year old named Max and his younger brother who was 4. Max and I talked about Baseball and how my favorite holiday is the 4th of July. His was Christmas and I think that was my favorite holiday until I joined the Army. Then the fireworks started and they played Toby Keith's "American Soldier". It was at this point Max turned around to me and said "My Dad died in Iraq." Moved to tears and awe struck are the only way I can describe what I felt. So I told him that I, too was in the Army. He asked if I knew anyone killed in Iraq and I told him that I had. This was the first time that I dealt with somebody's son who had died in Iraq. I am usually in Iraq when things like that happen. I can't fathom the grief little Max and his mom went through. But little Max had more things to say. I was very sorry that I had brought up such a horrible subject and I said a heartfelt sorry to little Max and gave him a hug. He said to me, and I'll never forget this for the rest of my life, "It's ok, he died doing what he loved doing with his buddies." Little Max told me that his father had died doing what he loved with the people he loved and it was alright. He then said and I quote "Everyone has their time." Here I am trying to tell little Max why the pitcher should throw a fastball and why July 4th is so cool and he drops two bombs on me like that. It was a life changing-experience to say the least and I thought I would share it with you on this 4th of July, American Independence Day.
Bill
