Even more moving, as I am able to easily read this beautiful dialogue (if I may call it such). Don emptying Tony's desk is heart-breaking. I had no idea that such a tradition exists in the military: "This was my job. I was Tony’s summary court officer, under orders to account for everything: pay his bills, resolve his issues, and serve as the Air Force representative to his mom and family. I would do this job perfectly. I owed it to Tony. Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way." WOW! I guess I assumed that a secretary would empty the desk, and the family would be on their own. I am so glad to know that the military takes care of its own, in such a situation. [The final sentences confused me: "He starts up the hill. A gentle breeze shuffles the leaves and the sunbeams flicker, and I am gone. But always around." Wouldn't those be the words of Tony to Don? Also, who breaks the wings? Don writes that he assumed that Tony did that. But Tony's dead. How could he have done that?]
Even more moving, as I am able to easily read this beautiful dialogue (if I may call it such). Don emptying Tony's desk is heart-breaking. I had no idea that such a tradition exists in the military: "This was my job. I was Tony’s summary court officer, under orders to account for everything: pay his bills, resolve his issues, and serve as the Air Force representative to his mom and family. I would do this job perfectly. I owed it to Tony. Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way." WOW! I guess I assumed that a secretary would empty the desk, and the family would be on their own. I am so glad to know that the military takes care of its own, in such a situation. [The final sentences confused me: "He starts up the hill. A gentle breeze shuffles the leaves and the sunbeams flicker, and I am gone. But always around." Wouldn't those be the words of Tony to Don? Also, who breaks the wings? Don writes that he assumed that Tony did that. But Tony's dead. How could he have done that?]