IN SERVICE TO THEIR NATION
Tristessa ' s Corner His Way Of Healing
By Tristessa Osborne
0400 - February 15 , 2021 . I was awakened by a gentle voice in the dead of night . He whispered , “ Good morning , Babe . Do you want to ride to the Wall with me ? I have something I want to take there .”
Was it morning already ? As the fog of my deep sleep lifted , I realized it wasn ’ t . He showed me the freshly painted , beautiful red long-stem rose he had spent the night welding . I said , “ Of course ,” understanding that we were starting out on a journey of healing .
It was a quiet and long ride to the Wall South at Pensacola ’ s Veterans Memorial Park . Our new , but hurricane-compromised , threemile bridge to the city was still out , which worked out well . It gave him time to gather and his thoughts and feelings , and I was not prepared to ask questions . I knew that the manilla envelope he ’ d brought along contained a laminated letter ; he had let me read it . And although neither he nor I could know their names , I understood who the many bereaved loved ones were that he hoped his letter would speak to .
… “ My dearest love ,” ( the letter read ), “ forgive me for not being there to hold you close on this beautiful day reserved for love in its purest form . Do not cry for me that I paid the ultimate sacrifice keeping my promise to defend this nation . Instead , celebrate the love we shared , remember the good times we shared , and cherish those memories ; for me , for us . Worry not if our love was true . For my final thoughts and words were of you . Rather than feeling somber , accept this rose as a symbol of our eternal love . Although it may be lost , it will never be forgotten .”
As we approached the Wall , the birds were filling the air with the morning sounds of life . With my beloved dog at my side , my coffee in hand , I hung back to watch this man called “ Doc ” walk toward his healing . I watched as he leaned in at the Wall to deliver his rose and the letter meant to speak for his friend and fallen brother , U . S . Army SSG Michael Simpson , KIA . The last moments of his friend , Michael ’ s ,
22 AHERO MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021