memorial

It clearly was a moving memorial service for a longtime friend who had died after a long illness, but I sat in silence, unable to hear the poignant stories and loving words from family and friends.

In June 1969, Dennis Joyner was a 20-year-old soldier on patrol in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta when he encountered a land mine that ripped off his legs and an arm. He had only been in the war-torn country 32 days.

John Odom is looking forward to walking into Boston Medical Center this week for a memorial honoring survivors of the  Boston Marathon bombing. After all, when he left the hospital last May, the doctors and nurses weren't sure he would ever walk again.

If they can storm enemy beaches, they certainly won't let a little barricade - or even a government shutdown - stand in their way.