Dear Daddy

Dear Daddy, today i turned four, i wish you were here but i dont see you anymore. Mommy says its cause you went away, and that i have to be a big boy, i have to be brave. I try to be, i really do but i dont understand why i have to grow up without you. You see, all my friends, well they have fathers. They take them fishing and hunting and to play in the water. I just sit on the floor wondering why, you had to leave me, or why mommy always cries. Yesterday we had daddy show and tell, and mommy had to write a note, explaining why i didnt bring my dad, so i wouldnt fail. It just makes me so mad, that it hurts so bad,and that i cant understand! I have never understood it, all mommy says is you wont come back. She said some mean people hurt you in a horrible place called iraq. I dont know what this means, please daddy just explain it to me! Mommy gave me a necklace that used to be yours, theyre called dog tags, and i wear them every day just to feel close to you. Everyday i come home to mommy crying over a letter and sitting on the floor. When i asked her why the letters make her sad, shes said because you wont be sending anymore. Today i woke up to get ready for school ,but mommy said no i had to go to something called a funeral. We walked in , towards a big black box surround by flowers and people quietly sharing thier thoughts. Mommy looked inside, then suddendly hit her knees and began to cry. I walked over to the box, and stood on my toes so i could see over the top. Do you know what i saw? I saw you face as white as could be, and i thought no, this cant be him, this isnt my daddy. I started to scream no, this is a mistake! Somebody please, fix this for me! They all looked at me, with sad and confused eyes, but you know what? They dont know what its like to have your daddy die! Then a man in a uniform got down on one knee , and looked me straight in the eye. He said " son, do you know how your father died?" I chocked out a no, then he began to explain. "Son, your father saved my life, he gave the ultimate sacrifice". Then he handed me a folded up flag, and picked up my fathers dog tags. He said, "your father is a hero, he died a hero". I held the flag close to my chest, knowing that my father gave his very best. Then i turned around , and listened to the sound of those last gunshots, and with tear filled eyes fell to the ground.