Lost But Not Forgot

After World War Two was over, there hung in my neighbor's living room window, the satin type hanging banner showing this was a gold star service man was deceased or a silver one meaning missing in action. This neighbor had the silver banner up in her window a long, long time. She was hopeful he would be found alive, he I believe was a turret gunner on the airplane. They never gave his parents a good amount of information on what happened.

As time passed, I guess her hopes turned to great sadness and despair. They started an organization named after him and it was made up of the returning soldiers who survived. It seemed to give her a bit of peace seeing his name on the building and the young men and women being members to relive stories from the war and how they were lucky enough to be back home.

Another neighbor across the street lost her husband and it was called missing in action. One day, she answered the doorbell and there standing he was, thinner, grayer, but the same smiling face. She almost had a heart attack from the wonder of something she thought was only made up in stories. He told her he was missing from his crew and somehow he woke up in a hospital and after his completing his healing, he thought he would surprise her and the kids when they sent him home.

Her silver banner was taken down and in its place, she bought one or had someone sew it for her and it said Home Is So Sweet Thank God.

These were so overwhelming for the neighbors of her happiness, but we were sad for the other one who lost her son and he never came back ever.

I as about eleven was so enamored of the situation that had enfolded before me of the difference between hope had come true and sadness prevailed.

I learned a good lesson on sadness is so terrible and happiness is so beautiful.

I also lost a cousin of Mom's who too was lost on a plane of which he was the pilot and that was a greater sadness too because he was a family member. Life is precious and we should enjoy its splendid moments and savor every day we are here. Elita Sohmer Clayman Fairfax Station Patch