“The patriot’s blood is the seed of freedom’s tree.”
(Thomas Campbell)

Over the last several years, we’ve had the chance to make over 200 visits to US military installations around the world. We’ve gotten to meet thousands of service members, and their spouses and kids, along the way.

These are all people and families just like yours, except these families are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect others. What saddens me, on Memorial Days like yesterday, is knowing that some of the families we’ve met through the years already have. And a few of the soldiers we’ve met have been killed since our visit.

Dying for one’s family is one thing—an amazing thing.

Dying for my family? For my neighbors’ families? For millions of people you don’t even know? That’s something else altogether.

Peace be with everyone.