In May 2005, his son, Dustin Derga, a Marine Corps Reserve corporal, was on patrol in Iraq's Anbar province.

NPR: Behind Bush's Veto: A Father's Loss, a Humble Pen

Earlier this week, Derga read news reports about the impending veto.

NPR: Behind Bush's Veto: A Father's Loss, a Humble Pen

The pen belonged to Robert Derga, an engineer from Uniontown, Ohio.

NPR: Behind Bush's Veto: A Father's Loss, a Humble Pen

As he was saying goodbye, Derga gave the president a pen, a cheap roller ball he had used to write letter to his son in Iraq.

NPR: Behind Bush's Veto: A Father's Loss, a Humble Pen

"I don't care what anybody thinks, " Derga says.

NPR: Behind Bush's Veto: A Father's Loss, a Humble Pen

Tuesday evening, Derga's phone rang.

NPR: Behind Bush's Veto: A Father's Loss, a Humble Pen