Dad's Back From Iraq
This column was written by The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.
It was a piece of video from Des Moines — not any more than 15 seconds long. It showed a boy at school, walking into a room. There to surprise him was his father in uniform, home from Iraq.
The look on the boy's face brought tears to my eyes. I actually had to look away from the television screen.
The child's face was an open book. The most important thing in his life was his father's safe return. At first, his eyes almost couldn't believe what they were seeing — and in a flash they grew wide with recognition.
Dad's home. I wept because everyday in America there are thousands and thousands of children who want just one thing. They want mom or dad to come home. They bear it as best they can knowing their parents are doing something important in the war.
But even kids know Iraq is more dangerous than ever.
So they hope. And they pray. And they lie awake at night missing mom or dad so much it hurts.
Harry's daily commentary can be heard on many CBS Radio News affiliates across the country.
By Harry Smith