To anyone that reads this—I support the military totally, but I do not support the way our military members are treated once they get back home due to a family member's treatment when he got back from Vietnam. I think this is a failure on our country's part, but that's another soapbox. Enjoy.

Borrowed Flags

Post retirement-Mike was kind of a lost soul, but as Memorial Day neared; he decided to go back to Chicago to visit his parent's graves. They had died long before the Red Flu, so fortunately, they never knew that their beloved grandchildren would never grow up. Mike just didn't want to attend the Memorial Day ceremonies for the many Nathan James crew that had died. He flew into Chicago on Friday evening, checked into the hotel and then went to a pizza place.

Saturday and Sunday, Mike visited some childhood friends and went to the police precinct where he had worked out of. He didn't know anyone but the old desk sergeant. They had a nice visit but Mike wasn't entirely sure that the sergeant remembered him.

Monday, Mike stopped by a florist and bought flowers and a small flag because no veteran's association would even provide a flag for his dad's casket or grave. He had died when Mike was thirty-two, never having fully recovered from his time in Vietnam. He had had orders to go somewhere and when things went to hell and the entire platoon but his dad and a buddy died, the orders 'disappeared.' Then the buddy committed suicide and Mike's dad confronted his CO about the orders. The CO denied sending the platoon into the jungle and Mike's dad punched him, earning himself a dishonorable discharge.

He had still served, so at his funeral; Mike had personally bought the flag so that he would have one and a couple of the cops that Mike worked with folded it and it was handed to Mike's mom. And every year before his mom died, Mike had either purchased or Christine would purchase and send back a little flag for the vase on the stone. Christine had told Mike once that she always took the kids with her to pick the flag out. The year before Mike's mom died, Katie had used her allowance to purchase the little flag. Mike was always particularly proud of his daughter when he remembered that story. Supposedly, it was the biggest flag that Katie could find and afford that would fit in the vase.

Mike drove out to the cemetery and walked to his parent's graves. The stone was weathered and Mike spent a few minutes cleaning the grass and leaves off and he noticed some very tired flowers on his mom's side and a tattered flag on his dad's. The items didn't look like they were 'that old' to have been placed before the Red Flu. He shrugged it off, took the old items out and put his in. He sat there for a minute, and was looking around. Maybe while he was in Chicago, he should arrange for a headstone for Christine and the kids? There was room to place one. Mike was lost in his own thoughts when a somewhat unfamiliar voice spoke.

"Dad?" A young girl asked. Mike turned around and was stunned.

"Katie? Is it really you?" Mike asked. He slowly stood up, internally cussing his bad knee. She had a bouquet of flowers and a flag in her hand but was nodding at him. There were tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh, honey; I've missed you so much." Mike said as he pulled her close. She looked so much like Christine had at that age.

"I've missed you too." Katie said as she cried into his shoulder.

"Your mom and sister?" Mike asked as dread filled him.

"Mom's at work and Hannah's at school." Katie said. Mike was shocked but he wiped the tears off Katie's cheeks.

"Then let's put this stuff in the vases." Mike said. He watched Katie put the items in with his flowers and flag. He was still unbelievably proud of her. "Have you eaten lunch?" Mike asked.

"No. I walked from Auburn Park. We don't have a car." Katie remarked.

"Rough area?" Mike replied.

"It was all Mom could afford. I'm helping but its not a nice place." Katie said.

"Well, let's get you something to eat. I have a rental car so you won't be walking anywhere." Mike replied.

"Where do you live now?" Katie asked.

"Mayport, Florida. I have a house near the beach. I'm only here the put flowers and a flag on your grandparent's grave, but I can extend my trip." Mike answered.

"I bet you have a new family?" Katie asked.

"No. I looked everywhere for you guys and never felt right about moving on." Mike answered.

"Mom never did either. She's really missed you." Katie said as they got into his rental vehicle.

"Good to hear I suppose. Now, what would you like for lunch?" Mike asked, figuring the girls didn't get many special meals out. Judging by Katie's clothes, money was really tight.

"Chinese food?" Katie asked.

"I know just the place. I ordered from there last night. I bet its even better at the restaurant." Mike said.

"Dad…why did you always want Papa to have a flag and why didn't the veteran's people put one on his grave?" Katie asked.

"Your papa was in the war in Vietnam, and he wasn't treated well due to a situation beyond his control, so when he came home, he was a mess. He still served though and so I made sure he had a flag on his casket and flags on his headstone. They were borrowed flags but he still earned them. I'm going to guess you've always made sure he had them since you all have been in Chicago?" Mike asked.

"Yeah. Usually Mom and Hannah come along to put them but Hannah had to go to school today and Mom had to work." Katie answered.

"I'm really proud of you all, honey." Mike replied as they drove to the Chinese restaurant. Once there, Katie filled her plate at the buffet and ate, fairly quietly. "Are you off work today?" Mike asked.

"Yeah. Hannah will be really jealous that I got to eat here with you." Katie remarked.

"I'll take her out sometime soon. And your mom too." Mike answered.

"Its really good." Katie said as she cleaned her plate.

"Its an all-you-can-eat buffet and I've already paid. Get more if you'd like it." Mike said. Katie gave him a smile before getting up and walking over and filling another plate. It gave Mike time to be thankful that he had came to Chicago and was at the grave at the exact same time Katie was. Now, he just needed to reunite with Christine and Hannah.

Christine's apartment was not in a good area at all and it was in a rundown building. She had made it into a nice home for the girls but Mike could see black mold in the bathroom and he had seen a roach in the kitchen. If his family wasn't too attached to Chicago, he would pack them up and take them to Florida. And if they were attached, Mike would move to Chicago. One way or another, he would be with his family.

A half hour later, it was another tearful reunion between him, Christine and Hannah. He held Christine for several minutes while she cried into his chest. She was exhausted. He thought she might resist going to Florida, but she was all for it, and Hannah was all about the beach. Katie seemed a bit off but Mike had gotten an adjoining hotel room to his and as Christine and Hannah packed things up, Mike approached Katie.

"You seem kind of quiet. Does it bother you to leave here or your job?" Mike asked.

"No. I'm looking forward to it. I'm just worried about Papa's grave. Who will put a flag on it if we're all the way in Florida?" Katie asked.

"How about this—we just come up here every Memorial Day? I'm retired now so it won't be a problem for me." Mike suggested.

"Really?" Katie asked.

"Yes. Would not be a hard trip." Mike answered.

"Okay." Katie said.

"I am really proud of you, sweetheart. More than you could ever imagine. And I think your papa would be too. You honor him in a way he always deserved." Mike said.

"Well, I learned from you and Mom." Katie said.

"I suppose so. Still, he would be proud." Mike answered before kissing Katie's forehead. Maybe the flags weren't as borrowed as Mike thought. Maybe Katie was always supposed to be the one placing them. Through Katie and Hannah, his dad's story would be told and retold and that meant more then some medals that would be placed in a drawer, and someday, Mike would tell a few of his own stories.

One Year Later

The family had settled in Florida with Mike and he was happier than he had been in years. His and Christine's marriage was strong and he redeveloped good relationships with the girls. They made the trip up to Chicago and Mike smiled as he watched Katie and Hannah place the flowers and his dad's flag. Christine wrapped an arm around his waist and smiled up at him.

"He would be really proud of them." Mike remarked.

"He would be proud of you too. I know he was troubled but he did love you and your mom with all his heart." Christine said.

"He loved you too." Mike replied before giving Christine a kiss. The girls were cleaning their grandparents' headstone with some cleaner that Christine had packed. Mike snuck another kiss before bending down to help them, glad he could share the moment with his wife and daughters.