Tuesday; January 13
When we landed in Richmond the other afternoon, we arrived about the same time as some sailors who had recently flown in from Chicago. As I looked at their faces (and the packs they toted) it appeared they had just gotten out of boot camp and may have been on their way to their first sea tour. The first thing I thought about them was how young they looked. They could have literally been my grandchildren! Yet, as I thought about them, I was struck by another emotion – pride. They were part of a next generation of citizens who are willing to stand guard over us. No political party or national regime is going to get it completely right, but it does my heart good to see men and women who are willing to think outside their own motives and serve for the good of our citizens. As I walked past the fresh-faced (and confused) service people, I was encouraged that they were entering a career of public service,...