Father’s Day 2007 came and went, and no calls and no cards from either of my boys.

However, I wasn’t upset since both were in a combat zone. They had other priorities, and a note to the “Old Man” wasn’t at the top of their list. Not when life and death choices are being made.

On Monday, I got an ECard from the younger son with an apology for being late. On Tuesday, my older son emailed me to tell me there was a shipping problem with the gift he had sent me and to be patient, since it was coming from the other side of the world.

A few weeks later, a box came in the mail with the return address and the customs form from Iraq stated: “Flag.” When I saw that, I thought he had sent me an Iraqi flag which would be unique, but upon opening the box, I found a United States flag perfectly folded into a triangle with only the blue and stars showing, as protocol dictates. At that point, my thoughts were it was nice to have “Spare” stars and stripes to use at some point when mine was beyond serviceable.

Then I read the attached card. “This flag was flown at ‘Camp Ramadi’ on June 17th 2007. I thought you might enjoy it.” I realized it would never be a “spare” flag because I would never unfurl it again. I put it in a display case and proudly hung up in my hobby room, straight across from the door for all to see.

Through the years, I was always on the lookout for a special gift for him, but nothing ever seemed right until one day I found a website for the renowned ship USS Arizona. It’s a battleship that sank during the Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. We lost over 1,170 crewmen in the attack on that ship. On one page, you can order a flag flown over the memorial for some of the most popular holidays like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Pearl Harbor Day, or whatever holiday or special day for the recipient that you prefer.

I picked out the size of the flag that would suit the situation and the short dedication I wanted on the Certificate of Authentication. I chose his birthday of this year as the date. And like he did to me, I e-mailed him to say there was a “shipping problem” with his birthday gift and to be patient. It was on the way!

It took longer than I expected for him to receive it, but when he did, he called me right away. I knew who it was from the caller id on my phone, but no one on the other end of the line was talking. It took me a moment to realize he was there, but couldn’t speak from the emotions he was feeling. When I heard the ragged breathing and use of Kleenexes on his eyes, it affected me the same way.

For a couple of minutes, it was just two wary warriors, quietly connected over the phone and enjoying the other’s company.