Arriving at the memorial site the families spread through out the small crowed of people. There was still half an hour before the ceremony started, so mainly only family, those who did or had worked at the SGC, and work crew personnel were there.
Many people were bustling about making last minute checks on every thing and of course Janet was right in the middle of it ordering around technicians, decorators, and even a few of the secrete service agents, who were there preparing for the president's arrival. Spotting their mom Shayla, Cassie, and Cale went to go see what they could do to help, causing all the workers to sigh with relief when the three distracted their mother.
Getting bored and not really wanting to get "volunteered" to help with all the last minute grunt work that needed done CJ discreetly worked his way away from the group and went in search of somebody to bug. It wasn't long before he came across his sister-in-law Marina.
"So Twig when do I get to meet this guy who thinks he's good enough for you?" CJ asked Marina, using his nickname for her so she knew he wasn't going to do anything extreme to the guy when they met.
"Uh…right now actually." Marina answered while waving a guy over. "CJ this is Brian, Brian this is my brother-in-law CJ."
Shaking hands with Brian, CJ sized the guy up. Brian was around 5'7"- 5'8", had short slightly shaggy blonde hair and he had a good build, not too muscular, not too scrawny. If CJ had to guess he would say the kid was definitely an athlete.
"So you're the kid who thinks he's good enough for my sister-in-law?" CJ put on his best colonel face, learned from years of watching his dad.
"I don't think, I know sir." Brian, staring CJ right in the eyes, shot right back not missing a beat.
"You're quite the cocky one aren't you? And you're not afraid to stare me down impressive." CJ decided maybe just maybe this kid was ok. Like Janet he didn't have any warning bells going off in his head, in fact he had quiet the opposite going off in his head. "So what kind of sports do you play? Oh and you can drop the sir, call me CJ."
"Uh…" Brian, who thought this was going to be a nightmare meeting since CJ was the closest thing to a dad Marina had, was caught off guard by the unexpected shift in conversation. "Soccer and basketball."
"Ah soccer a man after my own heart."
"Yeah I know…they're still talking about you guys and your four consecutive state championships at the high school. There's not a day that goes by during the season that the coach doesn't go off on one of his rants about you guys."
Smirking with pride CJ was about to make a smart ass comment when suddenly Andrea appeared out of nowhere.
"What did you do to Jaren?" Andrea demanded, coming to stand right behind CJ.
"Wha…geeze Andrea give me a heart attack why don't you?" CJ whirled around to face his sister.
"What did you do?" Andrea pointed to where Jaren, who had a fairly bright red mark down one side of his face, was talking with a group of people.
"And just what exactly makes you think I had any thing to do with that?" Andrea just glared at him. "Ok, ok I may have taught him what happens when you start something you can't finish."
"Right…just make sure you don't go teaching him any more lessons tonight."
"Yes ma'am." CJ gave Andrea a sloppy salute.
Soon crowds of people began arriving and it was time to begin. After listening to a few earth and off world dignitaries speak, a quick visit from Thor and a small speech from the president it was time for CJ to speak. It was tradition for someone who had been working with the SGC before the war had ended to give a speech each year. The first year it had been General Hammond, the next year it had been Janet, and last year it had been Major Davis, this year it was CJ's turn to give the 'big' speech.
"Five years ago the whole world learned about the Stargate project and the war with the Goa'uld." CJ started. "Four years ago that war came to an end and those brave men and women of the SGC were immortalized as heroes. It's very rare that I go a day with out hearing about what heroes those people were. People now a days are so busy idolizing those people that they've forgotten that their heroes were/are just regular people.
They never asked to fight a war against an entire race, to die in that war, to make sacrifices for that war. As you all well know I lost my parents, General Jack O'Neill and Colonel Samantha Carter-O'Neill, in that last battle. They along with my uncle Teal'c and father-in-law Dr. Daniel Jackson, who also lost their lives that day, are probably the most idolized of any one, but they were just normal people like any of you. Like the plaque at their gravesite says they never wanted to be heroes it just happened that way. They were only doing their jobs just like everyone else.
All those years ago when I was going through my parents' things I came across some letters they had written. Basically these letters were last good bye letters written just in case it was the one time they didn't make it back, so as you can all imagine there were quite a few of them." This got a small chuckle from the crowed. "And till today these letters have stayed in the immediate family, but after speaking with the other members of my family I've decided to read a select few today.
This first one was from my mom to my dad, before they were officially allowed to be together.
Dear Jack,
As I sit here writing this I'm watching you run your hands through your hair. You always do that when you're worried and trying to find your way out of a tough situation, it's one of the things I find so adorable about you.
I know you're waiting for me to pull a brilliant idea out of my butt (your words not mine), but to be honest I don't think I'm going to be able to do it this time. I wish there was something I could do, but it doesn't look likely.
I'm sorry I was never brave enough to tell you face to face my feelings. I've loved you for as long as I can remember and I know it isn't fair for you to find out this way. I know deep down you fell the same way about me. You made this whole adventure worthwhile and I want you to know it was an honor knowing you.
Love always,
Sam.
This next one is from my dad to my mom. It was written around the time he had the knowledge of the Ancients downloaded into his head the first time.
Sam,
Damn I've sat here for hours trying to find the right words to tell you every thing I want to. You just got back from that planet, sporting a lovely tan. I can feel this Ancient crap taking over my mind more and more by the minute, I don't know how long it will be before I completely lose it and to be honest it's scaring the hell out of me knowing that eventually I won't be able to understand you not that I understand most of what comes out of your mouth any way, but still it's the fact of the matter.
I can tell by the worried looks I'm getting from Janet and the whispers in the halls I'm not going to be around much longer, which means it'll be up to you to keep Daniel from working too hard and getting himself in trouble and to make sure Teal'c gets out and has some fun once in awhile.
You know the only regret I'll have (besides dying) is not telling you how I feel, I love you Samantha Carter. I always have and always will, no matter where I am.
I remember the first day we meet like it was yesterday. From the moment you challenged me to that arm wrestling contest you had me falling for you, hard. Everything from that cocky little smirk you get when you figure something out that no one else could to that pouty frown you get when something has you stumped, makes me fall deeper and deeper in love with you.
Know that I don't want you to dwell on my death; I want you to move on with your life. You deserve to have the house with the white picket fence, 2.4 kids, and a dog, which you will NOT name after some scientist dude, and you can consider that my last order to you. But seriously Sam I want you to be happy and enjoy your life.
With all my heart,
Jack.
This next letter was written after my parents got together and years after my brother Trey and I were born, but before Jaren and Andrea were born. Before I read this letter I'll admit I'm not sure which of my parents wrote this letter, because for some reason they never finished it.
My precious boys,
There are so many things I want to say I don't know where to begin. I deal with top brass officers as well as think they know it all hot shot officers all the time and still I can't find adequate words to say the things I want/need to say to you.
By the time you read this you'll know of my death. This is the fourth time I've tried writing this, how do you tell your children you're gone and never coming back?
I'm sorry I wasn't there when I should have been. There are so many things I missed out on. I know I've made my share of mistakes and I'm sorry about that. But sorry never really makes up for anything does it?
Looking back I realize just how many times I've screwed up with you boys. I realize I never told you boys nearly enough how much you mean to me and how much I love you.
I want you boys to remember life should never be something you feel you need to run from, lie your way through, or cheat yourself out of.
These last two letters were written right before our last battle against the Goa'uld.
Dear Jack, my love, CJ, Trey, Jaren, and Andrea, my angels.
Where to begin? In a few moments I'll be stepping through the Stargate into battle and if you're reading this letter it was my last time doing so.
Jack, my love, my soul, I love you with every fiber of my being. I know you will miss me as greatly as I will you, but we will someday be together again. I will always remember your sarcastic personality, Your almost child like way of looking at life. It makes me laugh to myself thinking about it, but it also makes me cry because I'll never experience it again. Know that nothing will keep us apart forever.
CJ I know you have been through so much and suffered much hardship in your life and I'm sorry I'm adding to it. I want you and your dad to stick together through this tough time. I know how you two can be and I want nothing to happen between you two.
Trey I'm counting on you to make sure CJ and your dad don't push each other away in their grief. You always were the peacemaker between them. I'm so lucky and blessed to have gotten the chance to know you before I died.
Jaren and Andrea my precious babies, know that we will see each other again some day. One day many, many, many, many, years down the road I will take you in my arms in heaven and we will be a family again. My one real regret in life is that I won't get to see you two grow up. I'll miss your first dates, kisses, I won't get to see you marry and have kids.
I want you all to know that I'll always be watching over you and know that it's ok to cry. Remember no matter where life takes you, I'll be there and I will always love you. I'll be waiting for the day we're all together again.
Your loving wife and mother,
Samantha Carter-O'Neill.
This last letter I'm going to read may seem to most of you as kind of depressing and cynical. But to any of you who really knew my dad will know that this letter really sums up my dad's view on life at times. As ironic as it may seem this letter is probably my favorite of all the letters my dad wrote, because it's so true no matter how much you may want to deny it.
My beloved family,
They say everything happens for a reason, that everyone is here for a reason, and that everything is meant to be. I don't know who "they" are but who ever "they" are, are nothing but a bunch of crackpots. There is no reason for anything, that's all a load of crap. Everything is meant to be what exactly? That phrase tells you nothing; it can't solve the mysteries of life.
The cold hard truth is that the galaxy is gunning for you at every turn it's just a matter of time. Time, now there's a subject that's been debated to death and then some, hell if I'm gonna waste what little of it I have debating it some more.
The all high and mighty "they" say time heals all wounds, but that's just more crap, certain wounds never fully heal, some never at all. My death will be one of those wounds that never fully heal and I'm sorry for causing you that pain.
I'm sorry I won't get to be in your lives any more. You all probably hate me for leaving you and I hate having to leave you. I regret having to leave you all, but the galaxy, even after all I've done for it, has finally decided my time's up, that's life for you, yeah I know it sucks big time. But you know what I'm not worried I know you'll all be in good hands when I'm gone.
This is probably the last thing you expected to read when you were given this letter. I've tried the best I know how to show you who/what I am. I hope that you will some day understand this all.
I love you all with every thing in my heart and so much more and again I'm sorry for leaving you all behind.
Your wonderful husband and father,
Jack O'Neill.
Now even though I read only a few letters from my family I know for a fact that just about every single person who ever stepped through the Stargate wrote a good bye letter of some sorts every single time, because I've seen the crates full of them and those were just the ones that didn't get sent out. Hundreds of these letters were sent out.
So the next time you people think about those people who fought to keep our way of life alive remember your heroes are/were just regular people living extraordinary lives. To most of you these people are heroes, but to some they were/are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and so much more."
Done with his speech CJ stepped down from the podium and retook his seat. There wasn't a dry eye in the audience as they stood applauding. Every person in attendance and watching from home knew that CJ was absolutely right about every single one of those brave men and women.
Fin.
A/N: Well there you have the end of my story. I hope you enjoyed reading it. And I thank everyone who reviewed.