Monday, May 26, 2008

'A piece of your heart that hurts'

Jim and Donna Rystad and son, Brian, visit the grave of their son and brother, Spec. Corey Rystad, who was killed in Iraq on Dec. 2, 2006. The Rystads visit the grave daily at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake Falls, Minn. Herald photo by Eric Hylden.

"RED LAKE FALLS, MINN. — They can laugh now as they remember how Corey conspired with his brother to get them to buy a big-screen TV.

Jim Rystad can smile as he recalls the 3 a.m. phone calls that told him his son was OK. He looked forward to those reassuring calls from Corey at war as much as he dreaded the always-bad 3 a.m. calls that came when he served as a sheriff’s deputy.

The blue star banner the Rystads had displayed, symbolizing a member of the family in service, hangs in Corey’s room alongside the gold star banner Donna received from Alice Longtin. Next to the banners is a case holding Corey’s decorations, including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star."

More...Grand Forks Herald | 'A piece of your heart that hurts':

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