at a local veterans’ center.
The restored medal sat inside a glass display.
Not because I wanted recognition.
But because Eli asked.
“People should know what happened,” he told me.
During the ceremony, a reporter asked him if he was proud that his mother was a four-star general.
Eli thought carefully before answering.
Then he smiled.
“No.”
The reporter looked surprised.
“No?”
Eli shook his head.
“I’m proud because she’s brave.”
The room fell silent.
Then he added:
“Anybody can wear stars. Not everybody protects people.”
I couldn’t stop the
