If You Honor Him, I Will Come

As parents, we do our best to attend all award ceremonies, assemblies, or banquets where our child will be recognized. We want to show our support and encourage our children and others that we may know. We have a sense of pride in knowing that others want to honor someone we love. It could be for academics, athletics, extra curricular activities, or for behavior above and beyond.

Since Maddy's accident I have had the opportunity to be a part of several memorial services in honor of those who have died in the line of duty. I have made it a priority to attend each one, if I was able.

In October 2018, my family and I attended the Oklahoma State Firefighter Association memorial service. Firefighters who had lost their lives, either in the line of duty or by other means, in the previous year were honored and added to the memorial wall. There were three line of duty deaths added to the Wall of Valor in the middle of the memorial.

A representative from the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance organization contacted me about honoring Maddy at their Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. This group aids first responders and military members. I was humbled that they wanted to include him. I sent them information and pictures to use, but I was unable to attend since it was in Arkansas. I felt spending the day with family was more important. He was also honored at their gala in April.

In April we attended the Oklahoma Department of Labor Worker Memorial Day observance and the Oklahoma Capitol building. It was set up in the second floor rotunda with silhouettes surrounding the room. Each silhouette represented a worker killed on the job during the previous year. Steel shields, engraved with the name, age, and profession of the worker, were placed on each one. Before the service I was greeted by the state representative and senator from my area. It was a very nice ceremony.

This past week we attended the Oklahoma State Firefighters Assn. annual conference. They held a special memorial service for the firefighters who have died since last year's conference. This year it was held in Ponca City. We had driven up the day before and stayed the night. That day, June 5, just happened to be Maddy's birthday. In an interesting twist, he was born in Ponca. Many of his cousins still live in the area and were able to attend the service. When the firefighters honor those who have gone on, it is a very moving experience.

Earlier this year I was informed that Maddy's name will be added to the National Firefighter Memorial during a service this October in Maryland. My family and I will be there to be part of this honor as well.

Each time I attend a memorial it is a little emotional, but I feel so humbled. I still have difficulty grasping that my wonderful husband, who spent his life trying to stay out of any limelight, is being honored by so many organizations. I know that nothing will change the circumstances, but by attending these services I can see that Maddy will be remembered by more than just his family.

So if a group wants to show respect and honor to the man I have loved and cherished for so many years, I will do my best to attend and keep his memory alive.

Except for the "drinking a beer" part, I love message in this song.