-Last week, I was traveling through the Atlanta airport and saw many US Service personnel. I told as many as I had time to tell how thankful I was for their service. One replied with respect, “It’s my pleasure to serve.” What a great response and a great motto for life.

- Recently, my son and I slept aboard the USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier. It was totally cool though I must confess seeing the beautiful bridge span across the water and smelling the familar smell of salt water made me pine for my native Florida. I spent a few hours one afternoon on the ship’s deck by myself reading and enjoying a rare quiet time thinking about life and reflecting on the lives of the men and women who have served our country. I wish I had had the courage to enlist as a young man not only for the great discipline I would have learned but to represent the USA.

- Today, my son interviewed a WWII vet. He told of eating chipped beef on toast for several weeks because the Japanese subs keep sinking the American supply ships. He said not one sailor complained (my father-in-law begs to differ!). Indeed his generation was the greatest generation.

- My speaker colleague Karyn Buxman sent me this today. It’s worth checking out.

In reflection this Veteran’s Day, I’d like to share with you a project done
by a friend and colleague of mine, Dr. Sam Bierstock. Dr. Sam is better
known for his musical medical parodies (like “You Picked a Fine Time to
Leave Me, Blue Shield”) but he also did a piece for our veterans titled,
“Before You Go.” The song was originally meant for WWII veterans, but is
appropriate to all vets.

You can listen to the song and see an accompanying slide show here. You may also download his song from iTunes, however, he is donating all proceeds-this is a project of the heart, not the wallet.

Please share it with the veterans in your life-we’re all grateful for their
service and sacrifice.