At eighteen, I could not get out of this town fast enough. After six years of playing the hero in the Army, I could scarcely believe I had survived to get back to this place. Once again a lump formed in my throat as I recalled some real heroes—good friends that had given up their lives in the service of our country. I knew that it wasn't healthy for me to dwell on it, but I gave my departed brothers a silent thank-you anyway.
The drive from the airport to the house reminded me just how long I had been gone. There were several new housing developments in what used to be farmland and open prairie. The airport used to be several miles from anything, but now there were restaurants and other businesses all along the highway. I shook my head and smiled as I looked at them.
"What are you thinki
