South

In a recent post I suggested to my fellow bloggers that they should write a post about their best work, and offered as an example my writings about SSgt. Chay. I said that were I to edit my first post about him I would only change the concluding passage, so it would read as follows:

View of the Chappaqua War Memorial facing South.
SSgt. Chay’s name is on the far side, facing South.
South, towards New York City.
South, towards where the Twin Towers once stood.
South, towards the reason he was in Afghanistan.

I think of him often these days, as the first anniversary of his death will soon be upon us.

I mourn his death every time I think of him, and one more piece of my heart then leaves me on its way to Cathy and his family.

[Dave Shields, October 11, 2007.]