I read that and I'm not ashamed to say I was teared up.
I went to boot camp 41years and 3 days ago. At the end of the internment, this young man's Bn. Commander thanked the honor guard. I shook his hand and told him I was there to honor my brother corporal, and all the marines I served with in the Nam, whose services I was unable to attend. I told him how proud I was that he gave such honor to one of his Marine's to be there. Needless to say, I did not have dry eyes.
My mistake, it was his fiancee I read of. Thanks for telling me of the flowers to his mom.