Honestly, I am feeling a bit raw as I write this. On Tuesday, my husband and I attended a celebration of Ukraine’s 33 years of independence in Washington, DC. The Honorable Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s Ambassador, spoke of goodness, light and the preciousness and fragility of democracy. With a somber tone, we felt the struggle of war-torn Ukraine and the Ukrainian people’s desire to remain free.
Then yesterday we paused for 9/11 to remember all those who gave their lives after such an act of terrorism changed the world. We walked over the Naval Academy to hear one of New York’s finest attest to the life of a firefighter who gave up his life that day. Then Greg and I, along with a Midshipmen, walked into Memorial Hall to pray and pay our respects to two of my husband’s friends, a classmate and shipmate, who were serving on watch in the Pentagon when the third plane struck in our nation’s capital and killed them both.
We must take time to remember and honor our fallen.
I’m still processing these two memorial events. One 23 years ago that became a global war on terror and the second, 934 days of fighting for independence by our Ukrainian partners. I am taking the time to reflect on the preciousness and fragility of our own democracy.
I invite you to do the same. Reflect, remember, pray, and consider the value and cost of freedom.
Where were you when the attacks of 9/11 occurred that changed the fabric of our lives? I was serving in command in Australia in 2001. Here is a picture of me on the steps of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia. The shrine commemorates the sacrifice of Australian soldiers in World War 1 and there I am, laying a wreath to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for democracy. Although the epicenter of the attacks occurred here, reverberations were felt across the globe.
What are you willing to sacrifice for our precious democracy and freedom?
Lest We Forget,
Barbara
#ukraine, #9/11, #leadership, #sacrifice, #veterans, #coaching, #mentoring
