Worst luck EVER

[Hyperion2]

Last week was the best news story ever, time now for the worst LUCK ever:

Topeka, KS - Fire destroyed a home at 2628 SW Osborne Tuesday afternoon. Fire crews were called to the scene at about 3:30 p.m. and found the home engulfed in flames. The house is owned by Raymond Thomas, principal of Bishop Elementary, who has been off work recovering from a a car accident. His son, Craig, says he was working outside when he noticed the garage was on fire. He ran into the house and helped his father out. Officials say Thomas lost nearly everything in the fire, but firefighters were able to recover the flag from his other son's funeral in 2003. Spc. Kyle Thomas was the first Topekan to die in the Iraq war.

[Saitek]

Dear me - that is an awful lot to bare. House, all his possesions, car,  health and family all struck.

[ATI_7500]

But the most important thing is the flag...*shakes head*

[Hyperion2]

The flag which draped his sons CASKET.  

[ATI_7500]

Still don't understand it.

[Hyperion2]

Until you've had to experience it, you won't.

[Craig.]

But the most important thing is the flag...*shakes head*

that flag is a symbol of the sacrifice his son gave to his country during military service, its the flag which was draped over his casket and was given to him after the funeral. Most important thing to save? yes. Its perhaps the last thing he owns that will be a memory of his son.

[Felix/FFDS]

Still don't understand it.

The son died in the war.  His casket, during burial, was covered with a flag.  The flag was presented to the family during the burial ceremony.

Basically, the man has lost a son, his house, all he had, including the photographs, etc of a life lived ... at least he has one little piece to remember his dead son with.

If you haven't experienced it - and I truly hope you never do - you won't really understand its meaning.

[Hyperion2]

It was the only reminder he has of the man that his son became.

It was a reminder of why his son did what he did.

It was a reminder of a promise that his son made to all Americans.

It may not seem like more than a piece of cloth to some, but to those who have served under it, there is a much more significant meaning.