Jonas stood at the podium, looking down at his teammates. Each one was holding back on their emotions; even Grey was un-crying. His heart went out to each as he began to talk.

"I was and am proud to call Sergeant Hector William's my friend, my brother, and my son. He was so proud of himself for making it in this man's army. And he had every reason to be. He was a young man who, despite everything, could smile and laugh. He was the first to crack a joke when everyone was tense and the first to tell you everything was going to be 'okay' when that was what you needed to hear."

Jonas looked longingly at the man-less boots. He could still hear Hector's infectious laugh. He would miss the younger man more then he thought possible.

"I have two stories to tell. The first one took place about two weeks after Hector joined the base. He was playing softball with some other sergeants and their kids; they were all having fun. Somewhere along the way they decided to leave the park and play on the street the…old fashion way. Hector hit the ball and it broke a window."

Jonas stopped talking and began to chuckle. He could still clearly see Hector's reaction to the incident. Molly was smiling at her husband while everyone else waited patiently to see how the story ended.

"Hector didn't see my wife and me watching the game and when the ball broke the window everyone scattered. He headed straight for us. I put my arm out," Jonas demonstrated how he'd put his arm out. "I got him around the waist and pulled him to stand in front of me; his eyes went so wide I was afraid they'd pop out. I proceeded to march him to the house where he apologized for breaking their window. I gave the couple the money needed to fix it and said my own apology. We went back my house and I had Hector sit at the table while Molly and I talked. When I went back in Hector was…well, scared."

Grey, Mac, and Bob were all trying desperately not to laugh. Though none had seen him they could all envision Hector's face and his reaction. Jonas looked at them and smiled encouragingly, letting them know it was ok to laugh and smile.

"I told him that even though I paid for the window he was going to pay me back. He agreed and said if he could just make a call, he would get me the money. He called his father," Jonas chuckled once again. "His father asked to speak to me and a bright red Hector handed me the phone. Mr. Williams said he would be sending me the money but in the mean time to please feel free to give his son chores to keep him busy during his free time. So that's what I did. Hector was…upset and embarrassed but never once complained."

Jonas's smile turned to a look of pride as he once again eyes the man-less boots. He tore his eyes away and once again rested them on his wife who was crying. He looked over at his team; Mac's face had gone to stone, no emotions showing; Bob's eyes showed his feelings but his face was impassive; Grey was fighting back the tears that so desperately wanted to fall again.

"The second story is my favorite story because it showcases what kind of a man Hector really was. I'd been doing some climbing and I'd gotten hurt and fallen. As I don't like hospitals I was released on my word that I would stay in bed for two days and take the meds the doctor had prescribed as ordered. I had also told Molly, who was visiting a friend, that I would have the house fixed when she got home. They were chores that needed to be done for some time; things like fixing the room and our screen door. I figured I'd have plenty of time so I did as ordered and went straight to bed…"

Jonas stopped to clear his throat. What he hadn't said was that he was climbing to escape people who were shooting at him…that getting hurt was code for getting shot…and that it was the getting shot that caused him to fall. He team knew of what he was talking about though Bob hadn't been around at the time.

"I woke up the next day and could smell cooking coming from my kitchen so I got up and went out. At first I thought it was my wife. It wasn't," Jonas smiled. "Standing in front of the stove with my wife's frilly pink apron stood Hector Williams. He turned around when he saw me and I could only stare at him."

The crowd laughed through their tears at the image.

"Hector ushered me back to bed and served me breakfast. He then told me to stay in bed for one more day; after all, I had given my word to the doctors. I've always wondered how he knew about that. I agreed and when I came out of my room the next day the roof was fixed, door fixed, garbage disposal installed, and the yard was mowed."

Jonas gave a strained smile as he stepped away from the podium and saluted the man-less boots.

"We'll never forget you son," he whispered as he released his salute and walked back to his seat.

TBC…