Ed Werder

Home of the free because of the brave. 🇺🇸

This is probably a long shot, but if anybody happens to be in DC this weekend and plans on visiting Arlington, I would love to see a fresh photo of my husband’s grave in Section 60. SSG Alan W. Shaw Section 60, Grave 8451 B Co 1/12 Cav, 1st Cavalry Division November 10, 1975 - February 9, 2007 There’s just something about knowing people still stop by, still say his name, still remember. 🇺🇸⭐🇺🇸

Thank you, Ed. What’s happened on this app today has honestly been incredible to witness. For one day, Americans from all walks of life put politics, arguments, and division aside to come together for one of our fallen. People who never knew Alan stopped to say his name, leave flowers, salute his grave, pray for our family, and honor the sacrifice he made for this country nearly twenty years ago. That’s the America so many of us still believe in. 🇺🇸

Thank you, Ed. What’s happened on this app today has honestly been incredible to witness. For one day, Americans from all walks of life put politics, arguments, and division aside to come together for one of our fallen. People who never knew Alan stopped to say his name, leave flowers, salute his grave, pray for our family, and honor the sacrifice he made for this country nearly twenty years ago. That’s the America so many of us still believe in. 🇺🇸

When I made that post yesterday, I truly thought maybe one or two people might stop by if they happened to already be at Arlington this weekend. I never imagined that nearly twenty years later, Alan’s grave would be surrounded by flowers, flags, prayers, and strangers speaking his name on Memorial Day. Thank you for showing up for him today. Thank you to everybody else who did too. As a Gold Star family, there’s always this quiet fear that over time people move on and your person slowly fades into history. Y’all reminded me today that Alan is still remembered, still honored, and still matters. I can’t fully put into words what that means to us. 🥹