The attached photos are from our trip to the memorials in Normandy. The first shows, by the presence of the simple letter, “A” the sheer numbers of the brave. When you are there, standing on the cliffs, it changes your life and every thought that you have ever held about self sacrifice. There is no way to explain it other than this–looking at the cliffs and seeing the scars and weapons that are still here, seventy years later, you KNOW, in your soul, that every man who left a boat knew he was walking into sure death. That so many could look those cliffs in the eye and say, “yes, for the freedom of myself and others, I will” makes you feel both small and infinite at the same moment. The way that this visit changed my capacity to appreciate the sacrifice of others can’t be put into words.

Photo 2–my children in a scar from a bomb

Photo 3–the Army Ranger memorial. Because, everybody needs a laugh after a day like that one and leave it to a crew of Army Rangers to pick a memorial that looks like THAT!

To the men and women of the United States Armed Forces-present, future and past-your service and courage humble me and are the foundation of my belief that we can work to build a country we are proud of. Where we all learn the value of sacrifice for something greater than a selfish whim.
Thank you for who you are every day