At work one day I went outside to smoke and was standing by a woman that I did not know. Her and I struck up a conversation and It led to talking about our children as most conversations between mom's do. She told me about her four kids, two boys and two girls.... about cleaning the house, paying the bills, everyday life.
She mentioned that her son was joining the Army and we had alot to talk about since I am an "Army brat".
I ended up seeing her almost everyday when I took my smoke breaks, I learned that her name was Missy.
We talked alot about the Army and different choices that her son would have. We became friends talking about different Army posts, the PX, the Commisary, health benifits, experiences that I had been through living in the "Army" atmosphere.
Her son Clay went into the Army and basic training and was out before we knew it. She was so excited and gave updates almost every time I saw her. I felt like I was going through this experience with her.....
Clay had been dating his girlfriend for seven years. The relationship was so strong and sweet. His girlfriend Emilee is such a great and beautiful girl.
Clay found out that he would be stationed at Ft Bragg NC. I remember telling Missy that it was a clean beautiful area, what a great place to be. She was so proud and let me know that Clay and Emilee were to be married when he returned because he found out that he was set to go to Afghanistan. Emilee would then join him in North Carolina when he returned from Afghanistan. I remember thinking it was so romantic and sweet, I envied them.
The wedding took place and Clay left for the unknown. Seeing Missy after Clay left I realized that she was "on edge" at the very least. She was concerned that clay was sent on patrol without a weapon saying that the weapon shipment had been hijacked by the Taliban. During the days after that, everytime I saw her she looked more stressed but was hopeful as Clay had been issued a weapon finally. He called home on July 1rst saying that he had been hit by some shrapnal on his face but he was fine. She re-iterated to me that he was fine. I went on vacation for the July 4th holiday and relaxed by the lake watching fireworks and making memories with my friends on Table Rock Lake.
Wednesday, July 7th, I came back to work and it was like every other work day. I turned on my computer, logged on to my phone and started talking to my co-workers as I do every morning. One of them, Tyler Lee, said something about seeing some of the family members of "the soldier that died that was from Harrison Ar.", I immediatly felt sick and knew at that moment that it was Clay.....How could this happen?
These are some photos I took at his very tender, touching funeral today. I will never forget hugging Missy in the funeral home at the visitation. I told her that I was so sorry and we both broke down and hugged each other for what seemed to be a very long time. I am still in shock. Clay was in Afghanistan for 3 weeks and died on July 4th, 2010.
