Gone But Not Forgotten
Mickey
STORY STATUS: Completed 5/29/06
SEASON: Pre-series
WORD COUNT: 2816
AUTHORS NOTE: For all those who serve with honor, now and in the past, to defend us all.
"Dad, why do we come here every year?"
Jack lightly squeezed his son's hand as they walked through the rows of graves. He was old enough to understand now, or at least some of it anyway.
"It's a very special day, Charlie. It's called Memorial Day. On this day every year we remember those who fought and died, and those who fight now, to protect this country."
"Like Poppop!"
"That's right. Just like your grandfather, and his father before him."
The boy was quiet for a minute as he looked at the graves.
"Like you too, Dad."
After a moment, Jack nodded.
Father and son walked a little further, until they finally reached their destination.
Charlie kneeled between the two graves. He separated the flowers that have been clutched tightly in his hand and laid half on each tombstone. He looked at the grave on his left, Major Charles O'Neill, then to his right, Lieutenant Connor O'Neill. His grandfather and great-grandfather.
"All these graves, all these people died in a war too. Didn't they?"
There's a sadness in his little boy's voice that makes breaks Jacks heart.
"Yes."
The boy was silent again, deep in thought. Jack was about to say something when Charlie turned and looked at him.
"It's not just them is it? These people here. There are a lot more, aren't there?"
"Yes, to many. Some . . . some didn't get to come home" Jack closed his eyes as his mind took him back to times he'd rather forget. Two horrible wars fought and two many good men dead. Too many friends and allies gone. Too many kids, to young to drink but not to young, apparently, to kill and be killed. Too many innocent civilians as well.
He'd made some unlikely friends during those times. He took this time every year to remember those brave men and women who fought under different flags, but for the same ideal. Freedom and justice for all.
Jack was pulled to the present when Charlie broke the long silence.
"Why? Why did they have to fight? Why did they have to die?"
"I wish I knew. Sometimes ... " Jack trailed off. Charlie may be wise beyond his years, but he was still just a kid. "Sometimes bad people try to hurt other people just because they can. Someone has to protect those who can't protect themselves."
"Is that why they fought in other countries?" At his father's surprised look, the boy continued. "Scott Franklin said his great-grandfather fought in a war in Germany a long time ago. He said a lot of people from different places all over the world fought together there. He said his grandfather told him stories about his great-grandfather and how he made friends with some solders from other countries. He said there was a bad man who made little kids fight and he made them tell on their parents if they didn't believe what the man believed. Scott said the bad men did a lot of really bad stuff to people. Even to other German people."
"That's right. His name was Adolf Hitler."
"But not all Germans are bad people, are they?"
"No, son, a lot of German's were, are, good people, they were just to afraid of what would happen to their familiars if they resisted or spoke out against their government. Remember, Charlie, there are good and bad people no matter where you go."
"All these people are gone now." Charlie makes a broad motion with his arm. "They died to keep others safe, to keep them free. Just like all those other people. That's why we remember them."
"That's right. They're gone now. Gone, but not forgotten."
The End