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My older daughter was the first one out of bed this morning and she went downstairs waiting for me to come and join her. Soon after, she ran upstairs with the biggest smile on her face, she was wearing David’s Military jacket.
Since David had expressed the desire to be buried in his military outfit, it was the jacket I planned to have him buried in. I had such a hard time letting go of the jacket, it reminded me so much of part of who David was. I cried nonstop the morning the funeral home director said she was coming over to get it since I had ignored all her requests to bring in his outfit. I previously posted here about my struggle to let go of the jacket thinking I was going to let it go.
As I cried my Sister and Mother were there to console me. And I recall my Sister saying that if David knows it means this much to you, he will not expect you to part with the jacket. That was so true, immediately, I felt relieved and I went to pick another top for him. For a moment I did not want to part with that one too but I realized that i needed to let go.
The fresh pressed jacket had been in the basement and I took it the family room yesterday as I tried to determine how best to preserve it. Clearly, it was the first thing my daughter saw this morning and she put it on. It was the joy I needed to start my day. I asked her how she felt wearing it and she said “I feel happy wearing it. I want to put it in my room. I want to wear it to school tomorrow because it is my Daddy’s outfit”.
Soon after she ran off and went back downstairs. I went to her room and found the jacket on the floor, a perfect storage location by her standard. I gladly picked it up and put it away safely. I am so happy with the decision to hold on to the jacket.
VICTORY CHEST 
Bless 🙂
This posting hit me particularly hard as I read it because the first time I ever met David he was in that uniform. I remember that day with so much clarity. It was the spring of 1989 approx. 25 years ago.
I was a young 19 year old kid and was at one of the lowest points of my life with no direction, no future, and no clue despite the feeling of infinite knowledge, and invincibility. This is how most 19 year olds feel right.
Although “the jacket” had three less strips on it David commanded that office like it had four stars. I will never forget the first meeting. It went something like this….
David:“ Hello welcome to my Air Force, how can I help you be all you can be?”
ME: “ Ummm.. Be all I can be… Isn’t that the ARMY’s slogan?” I said with a degree of sarcasm.
David: “Well they may say that, but I can guarantee you will be all you can be if you really want to, but if you want to be what the ARMY wants you to be their office is right across the hall; however I personally would recommend you stay here.”
And that was the beginning of what would become the rest of my life and my relationship with then Sergeant David.
That chance meeting was the game changer for me. I wish there was a way I could tell him every day how grateful I am for his support and inspiration. I hope he can take pride in how I turned out, what I became, and what he created.
I do love that man for all that he did for me and more importantly I am so glad I didn’t turn around and walk across that hall to “be all I could be” but rather stayed and “became all that I am”.
Thank you Dave, you are my hero too.
-Tim