Vivian was just starting first grade and bring your Dad to school day was fast approaching. Vivian’s mother Angela was concerned her classmates would not understand what had happened to her Dad. However Vivian really wanted to go and share her Dad’s story.

So the day comes and everyone comes in with their Dads and they notice that Vivian doesn’t have anyone with her, just a couple pictures of her Dad.

Her classmate Jason asked her; Vivian, where is your Dad?

She said, well he couldn’t make it, but I know he’s here watching me. He’s always with me, always smiling at me and always proud of me. Let me tell you his story.

My Dad, Michael, was a soldier in the Army. From when I was a little girl he always told us that someday he might have to leave and be assigned somewhere.

That day came when I was just three years old. He was deployed and assigned to Iraq.   Before he left he told me to please pray for him, always hug your Mom, kiss the American flag and remember that Daddy always loves you.  He gave us a hug and kiss goodbye and that was the last we saw or heard from him for a while.

Two years had passed and he started getting nervous about him and not a day went by that we didn’t think about him.

Then one night, it was a hot stormy summer night and Mom was about to put me to sleep, when suddenly the phone rang. She said I’ll be right back.  I could overhear that she was getting emotional and when she came back to my bedroom, she had a tear in her eye.

I asked her, Mommy is everything okay?

She came over and hugged me.  Remember what Daddy always told us, to kiss the flag and remember that always loves us.

Listen honey, that was the local police. They have gotten word that Daddy got gunned down and killed in combat.

They both hugged each other and went over and kissed the flag in the bedroom.

When Vivian finished sharing his story and his pictures, everyone went over to her and hugged her and told her that they were sorry to hear about his passing.

Her teacher Gloria told her:

“Vivian, I’m sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. Don’t be sad, be proud of him. Remember he took his own life to protect you, your Mother and your family and the country.  And don’t say Was, instead say Is. Just because your father is no longer here doesn’t mean he ever leaves you. He will always be alive in your heart.  Remember that he always loves you, is always watching over you and is always proud of you. He is now your guardian angel and will always be your hero.  Thank you for sharing his story with us. Now let me go copy your pictures of your Dad and we can all sign them and hang on the wall next to our American flag to always keep his memory alive forever.”

Before the school day ended, they all went over and hugged Vivian and then went over and kissed the flag and her Dad’s pictures.

When her Mom came in and she showed her what the class did, she was in tears.  They both then went over and hugged her teacher and thanked her for everything. Gloria told them both that she is always here for them if they need anything.

Don’t worry, be happy and proud and always remember to thank him for his service each and everyday. Your Dad is someone to be celebrated and proud of because he’s a true American hero.