As I was conducting a DWI class, I asked the participants if they had a wish, what would it be. Over the years, I’ve always asked this question to those attending the classes because it really generates lively discussions.

I’ve heard some of the same answers quite often, such as, “I wish I could win the lottery” and “I wish I had good health,” but there are times when someone will mention something that really gets everyone’s attention.

One of the men in the last group said, “I wish I had my son back.” Thinking maybe he was divorced and his son was living away with his mother or had just decided to leave home, I asked what happened. He said his son was killed in Iraq. You could hear a pin drop as all the people in the group turned their attention to the father of this young man who died at 26, protecting the freedom we enjoy.

I extended my sympathy as everyone could feel the hurt in the father’s heart.

After a brief silence, I asked the man if his son had every regretted or complained about going to Iraq. “Never,” he said with a proud smile. I then thanked him for raising a Marine who stood in the gap for all of us at the meeting.

I was reminded of a movie star whose adopted son (his only son) was killed at Vietnam. In an interview, someone stated, “How tragic to have your only son killed!” To that the person said, “Tragic? What an honor to have my only son die defending our great country.”

As we ended our group discussion, I thanked the man for raising a true hero.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.