The Scars I Walked Through Fire For
Upon his eventual release, he fled the country and now lives somewhere in quiet, forgotten ruin.
As for me? I returned to the sea.
On a brilliantly clear, crisp spring morning, I stood on the polished steel deck of an active Navy destroyer.
The wind whipped at my uniform lapels.
Lined up along the railing were thirty-one grieving families.
We stood in solemn silence as a massive wreath of white lilies was slowly lowered into the churning, dark blue water of the Pacific.