I am not articulate when it comes to writing the feelings of my heart. However, I could not let the moment pass by without expressing my gratitude for the young men and women who honored the flag on Friday.

On Friday I arrived on campus and went about my usual routine, when my eye was drawn to two uniformed cadets standing at attention in front of our nation’s flag. Sometimes we’re too indifferent as we are in a hurry to get to where we are going. But that moment, for me, was unique. As I paused to remember those who died in the attack on September 11, 2001, my mind and heart traveled to another place: Frankfurt, Germany.

Today, my son, a soldier in the United States Air Force, will be sent to Baghdad, Iraq. I will not be there to hug him good-bye, pray with him before he goes, or hold his sweet wife’s hand as her heart breaks seeing him leave. However, I can be grateful for the cadets here on BYU’s campus for the reminder of why he is going.

I can reflect on what my son said to me the day he left for his first duty assignment: “Mom, I am doing this so you and Dad can be free.” And so I am here sitting at my desk in Provo, Utah, thousands of miles away saying not goodbye  but God Bless until we meet again.

Betty Mae Johnson
Provo