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<\/p>\nAs you get older you get somewhat hardened by life.\u00a0 You deal with disappointments, betrayal, the \u201csystem\u201d.\u00a0 You learn that you don\u2019t always get what you think you deserve, and that what is \u201cright and good\u201d isn\u2019t always what happens.<\/p>\n
So as you age you tend to take on a more cynical view of life.\u00a0 You develop a thicker skin; you learn to deal with disappointment.\u00a0 You expect bad things in the world around you, and from people in general.<\/p>\n
You have little choice.\u00a0 The reality is that the world is full of stupid people \u2013 and of those who don\u2019t give a damn about doing the right thing.\u00a0 Reality rubs your nose in those facts.<\/p>\n
Then something happens that reminds you that there are still some left who \u201cget it\u201d – who embody class, respect, and doing the right thing.\u00a0 That there are still some proverbial \u201cgood guys\u201d left.<\/p>\n
Some time ago, I was forwarded two photos.\u00a0 They speak for themselves.<\/p>\n
The first is a photo taken at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial – the Wall.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been there once.\u00a0 From photos and descriptions, as a young man I thought the design was foolish and inappropriate.<\/p>\n
Damn – was I naive.<\/p>\n
A few years ago, I visited the Wall.\u00a0 In person, the somber, quiet dignity of that monument hits harder and makes more of an impact than I can describe.\u00a0 But that\u2019s another story altogether.<\/p>\n
Back on topic:\u00a0 the first photo shows one panel of the Wall.\u00a0 Reflected in it are the images of the photographer and two of his friends or family members.\u00a0 The names are fairly clear, but in the softcopy of the photo I have not all of them are readable.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
At first glance, there’s nothing special going on here.<\/p>\n
Then you notice, at the bottom of the segment, three small 3×5 notecards resting against the black stone of the Wall.\u00a0 The second photo is a closeup of one of these notecards.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
If the name at the bottom seems familiar – it should.\u00a0 The card was signed by General Peter Pace, USMC (Ret), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.\u00a0 The note was written the day he retired.<\/p>\n
Military leaders don\u2019t make it very far without the support and effort of their subordinates.\u00a0 Some forget that fact along the way, as well as where they came from.<\/p>\n
Looks like General Pace never forgot.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"