I’m lucky to have not lost a family member to war, at least not in the past several generations, despite my family’s legacy of service. My grandfathers both survived in the Army World War II (although my maternal grandfather received two purple hearts). My stepdad served in the Navy during peacetime. My dad served as a Marine in Vietnam (and also received a purple heart). And my husband served as a security officer in the Air Force during peace time.

But my father and grandfathers lost many friends in those wars. They didn’t speak of it much. But the loss was palpable at times of remembrance, like Memorial Day.

I’ll never forget visiting the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., with my dad and watching him scan for the names of his fallen fellow Marines. It was haunting.

Kristine Kathryn Rusch captures that feeling in her powerful Anlab Award-winning story, “The Museum of Modern Warfare,” which is free for you to download for the next two weeks.

Here’s the synopsis:

When the Ambassador to the Dylft System—a veteran of the Dylft Wars—receives orders to lead a diplomatic mission to Craznaust, she wonders at the wisdom of accepting the assignment.

Still, when she arrives at the controversial Museum of Modern Warfare, she believes herself prepared to face the past and address whatever diplomatic issue she might find there.

But nothing could prepare her for what she finds deep within the museum. Something long buried. Something that could change everything she thought she knew about the war.

Click here to start reading.

My thoughts are with all of you who’ve lost someone to war.

Allyson Longueira is publisher of WMG Publishing. She is an award-winning writer, editor and designer, working mother, and brain tumor survivor.