church.
I even tucked it inside my wedding dress when I married Walt Braddock in 1974.
My military decorations, including a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, remained safely stored at home.
But the small heron stayed with me.
Years later, the battalion honored my service by dedicating its dining facility to me. RestaurantDining Guides
Since then, I’ve returned regularly for Thursday chili.
I’d never imagined that one day a young staff sergeant would challenge my right to wear the very insignia given to me decades earlier.
That afternoon, I met