Contributions by Alice Daniel

When her son returned from Iraq, Alice thought all was well. Later, her son was diagnosed with cancer linked to toxic exposure from burn pits in Iraq.

A part of me died with my precious son. However, there are parts of me beginning to creep back into everyday life despite my resistance.

When Austin was diagnosed with cancer I didn’t assume the fetal position and hide.

Then Wham!!!! When I least expected it, that beastly, nightmarish animal called anger blindsided me.

On September 7, 2009, Memorial Day in an instant took on yet another meaning. My son, SSG Austin Daniel, was now one of our great country’s many fallen heroes.

In November, 2008, once again fear dominated my life. Austin was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease.