By Irene R. Shuck

This past weekend I spent promoting my product called Wallet Wishes. We set up in the foyer of our local Wal-Mart. Next to me was Debbie Higgins, mother of fallen marine Lance Corporal James W. Higgins Jr., who died a week before he was to return home. His last wish to his mother in a letter that was shipped with his belongings was for her to build a "Memorial for all of the Fallen Service Men and Women from Vietnam until now." He had already designed it.

Debbie was an inspiration to watch this weekend. You can tell she is determined to make sure her son’s last wish comes to pass. She already has the land donated. The memorial will be built on 25 Acres right here in Frederick, Maryland. The ground breaking will be September 27, 2009.

With the goal of selling Wallet Wishes to the people that were coming out of the store for our military men and women stationed abroad this holiday season, we set our table up in the foyer of our local Wal-mart with the manager's permission. The people who stopped to send their "wish" each wrote a personal note to a military branch of their choice. One little boy had written, “Be safe, find a good hiding spot and come home soon.” Another read, “From one service man to another, thank you for your service.” Some simply wrote “Merry Christmas,” or just simply “Thank You.”

Debbie’s grandmother, Betty Jo, was there to help out, too. She came both days and worked the booth that held the jars of donations for her grandson’s inspiration: The National Fallen Heroes Memorial. Betty Jo is 83 years old and can keep up with the best of them.

As I sat at my table, I just happened to glance over at Betty Jo. A tall gentleman in his 50’s came up to her. He pointed to the photos on the table and then to himself. At that moment I understood by his actions that he was deaf. I watched as he wordlessly tried to communicate to Betty Jo the story of his loved one that he had lost. After a few minutes, Betty Jo pointed to the photo of her grandson Lance Corporal James W. Higgins Jr. and motioned that he belonged to her and she had lost him, too. In that moment they both hugged, as tears welled up in each of their eyes, as did mine. Then he went on his way. I felt like I was prying, and at the same time I felt so blessed to watch two people connect on a level of understanding so deep. Unless you’ve lost someone you cannot know the heartache and love these two people shared in that moment of time. I hope that on Veterans Day and every day you take the time to say ‘Thank You’ to a service member, ‘I love you’ to a family member and lend a helping hand to someone in need.

Irene R. Shuck lives in Frederick Maryland and is the owner of Wallet Wishes. They are positive affirmation gift cards that people carry with them where ever they go and can give them to their friends, family and loved ones. Each card comes with a brass coin that says on it “My Wish For You…” with a shooting star on the front and a Shamrock and Horseshoe on the back. You can purchase these cards at: http://www.walletwishes.com.

Irene is sending Wallet Wishes to the soldiers for Christmas this holiday season, so if you care to participate in the Wallet Wishes Cares program, please visit the website, purchase a wish and Irene will make sure to send it out with your note on the back of each card sent.

Learn more about The National Fallen Heroes Memorial http://nationalfallenheroes.org