The Passing on of Ryan
I do apologise that this isn't very long and it is not really a story, it is just more of a diary entry or monologue whichever you prefer. So please R&R it, but please look at it more like he is saying it to you after the film.
All my life I have waited, waited for news. Any news; news about war, news about love, news about death, news about hopes, news about despair, just any news. The worst news of all, is the loss of a loved one. 5 times. 5 times I have received news like this. My three brothers died in the war, my mother died 12 years ago, my wife passed away1 week ago today. One week ago today; she died, I lived.
Everyday I wish for a new beginning, one with no loss, no pain, no suffering. But with that, comes no fears, no hopes, no dreams. No fears of losing someone, no fears of letting them go. Without fear, we cannot cherish those which we love. We cannot cherish every second of every day which we spend with them. We cannot not cherish those moments and remember them forever. No hopes of someone coming back to you, no hopes of them being there when you come home, no hopes of living through to the next day just so that you can see their faces one more time. And no dreams, no dreams of them returning once they've gone. No dreams of the future, no dreams of the past. Just darkness.
With every new beginning comes great consequence. My friend, whose hand would shake whilst his heart was filled with great courage, taught the world a message. Anyone can fight for what they believe in. Now I want to fight one last time, to see my daughters, my sons, my granddaughters, my grandsons. My family. I want my family by my side when I leave home for the last time. I want them beside me when I close my eyes for the final time. I want them beside me when I enter that great darkness which is death. But I am alone. I am alone in what seems a lifetime of laughter, joy and sorrow. I am alone in my last moments. My last moment as Private James Ryan.
1 week later, Private James Ryan was buried with his entire family and friends around him, he was watched by his comrade and friend, Captain John. H. Miller.
His tombstone read:
James Ryan:
A loving father
A loving husband
A loyal soldier
A loyal friend
Who owes his life
To an old Captain
With nothing but courage in his heart.