Happy Birthday Dad As I watched the young soldier walk toward us, a glance over at my wife and daughter’s face told the story of how my heart was feeling. It had been the longest twelve months of our lives, and today our son, “our hero” had come home safely. Many of the people who were also waiting at the airport asked us if the welcome home sign (our daughter Natalie proudly displayed) was for a soldier. We said yes, it was for our youngest son Tim and we were there to welcome him home from a year in Iraq. All of the people we talked to made us feel so proud with their words of thanks. Most everyone asked us to thank Tim for serving our country. We said we would do our best to let him know. As Tim finally made it to where we were standing, I could hear people in the terminal clapping as he passed by them. My eyes were also watching my wife Lorraine as she handed me the flag she was waiving to meet Tim. Stepping forward to the front of the crowd, both Lorraine and Natalie gave a couple hugs Tim won’t soon forget. After Tim finished giving his mom and sister their hello he walked over to me. I think I was stuck in the moment and couldn’t talk, as I reached out to shake his hand. Tim started to reach for my hand, then pulled his hand back and opened his arms; his eyes told me it was alright to give him a much-needed hug. I know grown men don’t usually hug, but today this 6’5” soldier was my little boy again, and I really wanted him, and everyone else to know how proud I am. For the next few moments I stood there speechless, listening to all the questions and words of thanks, from the people like us, who had just put a face together with the word hero, and that hero was my son. After picking up his bags we made our way to the parking lot and were loading his things into our trunk. Tim said, “Oh, I almost forgot! Here dad,” as he pulled out a box from his duffle bag. “Sorry about the box dad, I think it got flattened on the trip!” he said. As I looked the red, white and blue box, trying to figure out what it was, I pulled the end open to reveal an American Flag. Tim said, “Happy Birthday Dad!” He then asked me if I remembered the phone call a few months before, on my birthday. I told him I did, I said it was near the end of a wonderful day I had spent with my mom and dad. Tim then said, “remember I told you I had your present but couldn’t give it to you yet.” I replied, saying I remember. I asked if he remembered what I told him I wanted for my birthday. Stating my birthday wish was for him to stay safe. “Tim, I got my birthday wish, you came home safe, and you didn’t have to buy me anything!” I replied, but added Thank you. Tim then reached in his jacket, pulling out a pristine piece of paper in a clear plastic protector, saying, “Dad this letter goes with your flag.” I stood there speechless, reading the letter. It said, “Certificate of Recognition Let It Be Know To All, These colors were proudly flown in the face of the enemy, in continuing effort to ensure democracy for the people of Iraq and forever erase the scars of tyranny created by years of oppression by terrorist forces threatening the freedom of the United States of America and the World on August 30, 2007 In Kirkuk, Iraq. They are now most respectfully retired and entrusted to the care of William Garvey Recognizing his support for Soldiers fighting for the War on Terror." His First Sergeant and the Battery Commander had signed the Certificate he gave me at the bottom. I stood there speechless with tears in my eyes, now knowing what Tim meant when he called a few months before, saying he couldn’t send my present yet, the reason was, the day he called my flag was flying over his camp on my birthday. That flag and the certificate were the second best birthday present I had ever received, the first was the soldier who brought it safely home to me. Welcome Home Son! We Love You! May God forever bless our heroes! By William Garvey