I heard someone behind me whisper, “What’s happening?”
Then I saw Beth.
She had gone completely pale.
One hand covered her mouth, and her knees buckled. Patrick caught her around the waist as she started sobbing.
“Those are Dad’s uniforms,” she managed to say.
It took me a moment to understand.
Janet was crying, too.
After whispering about the promise, she gripped my hand while Patrick approached the microphone.
He looked toward Beth.
“Sweetheart, I should have warned you this would be emotional. Can I tell everyone why these men are here?”
Beth nodded.
Patrick took a moment to steady himself.
“Thirteen years ago, your father asked me to make him a promise. I told him I’d keep it, no matter how long it took.”
The room went completely silent.
“These 11 men worked alongside Richard. Some of them have traveled across the country to be here. They’re standing here today because your father asked them to.”
