Handing Over

“Patsy,” Lanie said, “our family feels so honored to have been chosen to find this flag … Thank you for sharing this piece of your boy with us.” And with these words and tears in her eyes, she handed over the flag to Fred Maciel’s mother. 

Peace

Patsy was overwhelmed to see that so many people had gathered to show their respect to her son. She was happy to see that people had not forgotten about him or his sacrifice for the country. “I’ve got peace in my heart. I’m happy. This is all for my son. Nobody forgot my son. This flag will be with me till I die. This is a piece of my son I’m getting back. It’s a great feeling”, she said. 

Lost And Won

Patsy also told everyone how she did not want her son to join the forces. “I cried for three days trying to convince him not to,” she said. Patsy also told that she “lost that fight” since Fred ultimately did join the US Marine. 

Thankful

Patsy was indeed obliged to the Brown family because they actually made the efforts to find her and hand over the flag to her. “For eight years, I was a basket case. I didn’t know how to go on without my son,” she told Catie. And then she finally got a closure. 

Exceptional

The feeling after Patsy held the flag was indeed a very special one for her. “It’s a piece of my son coming back to me,” said Maciel, who lives in Harris County. “It feels great and I love them for that. I don’t have my son but at least I have this.”

The Eulogy

After the accident of Fred’s death, Ted Poe gave a eulogy in the Congress House for Fred. “Lance Corporal Maciel we will remember, we will forever remember your fight against these international outlaws. Maciel died in helping establish democracy in a land far, far away. You know, some causes are worth dying for. And liberty is one of those causes … may this American hero’s devotion to his country continue to kindle our dreams and ambitions of a free people. So Semper Fi, Lance Corporal Maciel, Semper Fi.”