Preserving a Legacy: Receiving Comfort from a Memorial Plaque

Grief is an intricate emotion that hits every one of us in a different way when we lose someone we loved so much. In the midst of the pain and sorrow, trying to find peace and tranquility can be nearly impossible. Although, even the smallest acts of kindness can give you the strength and comfort that you need in those dark times. Especially when you start to realize that there is a possibility that the legacy of the dear friend that you have lost will never be forgotten. This is the story of how a simple memorial plaque became that beacon of light that I needed through that dark time. Showing us all that the memories of them can last forever.

Charlie and I knew each other since we met in second grade. We were as close as close friends could get. Some would say that we were BFFs. Although if you asked either one of us, we certainly preferred the term ‘Best Buds’. BFFs just sounded to girly, and that personality certainly didn’t fit either one of us. We were a couple chips off the old block as my dad would say. We had such a fun childhood. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but no matter what happened, Charlie was always there for me and I was always there for him. We worked on his dad’s farm in the spring and summer. Then we would play football together in the fall and basketball in the winter. After high school he started working with his dad full time on the farm and I started working at the local car garage.

Life was good and we still got to see each other often. However, the rumor of being drafted for Vietnam was becoming a reality. A couple of the other young men in our town had been drafted already, so I knew it was only a matter of time before I would receive a draft notice myself. Charlie knew it too. Although he could have gotten a deferment because he ran the farm with his dad, he suggested that we both sign up so that I wouldn’t be leaving while he stayed. I resented the idea at first, but he was persistent. A couple of weeks later, we found ourselves signing up for the army. We were given our ship out date and left for boot camp a few weeks later.

We both made it through boot camp and special training. We both became certified army mechanics and were sent overseas to Vietnam. Even though we were mechanics, there were times we had to fight in some of the bloodiest battles that our regiment experienced in our one-year tour. Charlie took a bullet to the shoulder because he pulled a wounded comrade into the safety of a ditch. By the grace of God and the skin of our teeth we both made it home. It was hard to bounce back to normal life, and it didn’t help that some people viewed us as traitors. That was a dark time for us, but that is why I was so thankful for our friendship. If it wasn’t for that and the good people that came around us, I don’t know what we would have done. There were some nights that Charlie and I would just sit quietly on the hillside behind his dad’s barn and watch the stars for a few hours.

After a few months, we had both gotten back into the swing of daily life. I would be lying if I said that everything was completely back to normal, but it was a start to something better than what we had gone through. Charlie and I continued to be the best of friends in the years that followed. Then came the day that was to became the worst day of my life.

Charlie started to feel sick a lot. After a couple weeks of toughing it out he went to the doctor to see what was wrong. After a couple tests the doctors confirmed that it was cancer, and he was already at stage two. He fought it hard for a couple years, but then the cancer had just gone too far. He passed away thirteen days after stopping the treatment. He was two months shy of his 67th birthday.

The wave of grief that washed over me was suffocating. The sense of emptiness that I had felt was unbearable. It was as if a chunk had been ripped out of my heart. I could not bear the thought of anyone forgetting about Charlie. It was because of that thought that I found myself searching for ways to keep Charlie’s memory and legacy alive. My wonderful wife came alongside and showed me the memorial plaque from QSHIM. There was something different about this plaque though. This wasn’t just a simple memorial plaque; it had a code on it so that anyone that sees it by his grave can scan it and go right to the memorial page we have made for him. To be honest; this plaque has been like a lifeline in the midst of this dark time.

I cannot think of a better way to preserve Charlie’s legacy. As well as share and relive the amazing stories and cherished memories of his life. I have so much peace knowing that he will be remembered and be an inspiration for the next generation. Those that have seen it have been motivated to cherish their own friendships and of the importance of creating lasting memories.           

This is based on true stories. In the face of loss, finding a way to keep the memories and legacies of your loved ones alive can be a powerful tool in the healing process. This is a story of how a QSHIM memorial plaque can serve as a witness to the enduring power of friendship, and how even a seemingly small tribute can become a source of comfort and inspiration. So many amazing people are able to have their legacies shared through a QSHIM memorial plaque and page. This serves as a never-ending reminder that with the help of new technology; love and relationships have the ability to even surpass the boundaries of life and death.