One of the proudest and grandest moments of my life occurred May 22, when I watched my oldest grandson, Charlie Lauer, graduate with his classmates from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
It was really something to behold, with the Blue Angels flying overhead, cannons booming and Vice President Joe Biden giving the graduation address. About 22 members of my extended family and assorted significant others were on hand, including Charlie's mother Wendi and father Randy. The graduating seniors were either in dress whites if they were continue their military careers in the Navy, or blue, if they had opted for at least five years in the Marines. Charlie was one of those who had chosen the Marines, and after a leave of some 30 days, he has already reported to the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia to begin his orientation and basic training as a Marine officer.
If you have never watched or attended a graduation at any of the service academies, I can tell you that it is really an emotional experience, especially for those who have loved ones who will shortly become active duty members of the military. I remember only too well when my son and Charlie's father Randy took his training at Quantico in the late 1970s just after he had graduated from college, a time of great unrest in the Middle East. Later he would be assigned to the 3rd Marine Division touring the Pacific, and his mother and I would worry and hope that our son would never be harmed in actual battle. Every family goes through the same apprehension about their loved ones. As you watch the young men and women receive their diplomas at their graduation, you cannot help but be overwhelmed by the fact these brave and dedicated young men and women may soon see action in some distant country.
Charlie was interviewed by a reporter from the local newspaper in my hometown of Winnetka, Ill., shortly after his graduation. She asked him why he had chosen the Marines, and this is what he said: "I've known I wanted to be a Marine for as long as I can remember. I think as a citizen of the United States you owe it to pay back for all the liberties that we enjoy. That doesn't mean that I feel the military is the only way to do so. In my opinion there are many other ways to show gratitude to our nation and the military is only one of them."
Charlie isn't the only one who feels this way. There are kids at West Point or the Air Force Academy or the Coast Guard Academy and at military bases all over this country and the world who feel the same way. They want to give something back to their country, and they are willing to make that pledge and make good on it. It should make all of us very proud, because they are young men and women who represent all of us.
Charlie, as I look back on this July Fourth weekend, I want you to know I couldn't be more proud of you! You are representing the greatest nation on this Earth, a nation with a big heart that is always willing to send help to others in times of need, no matter what the danger, a nation of all kinds of races and religions and points of view, a nation that is open to new ideas and believes every citizen should be allowed to pursue their dreams and make them come true, a nation that is still evolving and that's why it is so magnificent.
Citizens of other nations risk their lives to get here because it is still the beacon of freedom for the whole world. Yes, we have detractors, and there are those who would love to see this great nation go down in defeat. But that is never going to happen, Charlie, because young men and women like yourself will be there to defend the rights and freedoms this nation offers to the world.
God bless you, Charlie, and your fellow Marines.
Come home soon.
Semper Fi!