Reluctant Patriot

I still love the idea of us.

Photo by Boston Public Library on Unsplash

The first funeral I ever remember being present at was that of a Vietnam Veteran killed in the line of duty.

I was very young, and can’t believe I remember James Thaddeus Conway’s flag-covered coffin, and the soldiers firing their shots of salute. I remember holding my mother’s hand and leaning into her leg when the shots rang out.