I had a 0700 meeting in Crystal City this morning at the Marriott.
I was meeting a couple who lost their son due to medical reasons (heart) while he was in the Marines.
They have asked me to help them with providing medical supplies, in field video, etc. via unmanned systems to try and help prevent unnecessary loss. The meeting also included the head of Navy Medicine. Interesting morning.
The couple was in town for the annual Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Conference being held at the Marriott (TAPS:
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is Here For You!), a group I had only heard about and in no way associated with.
I am a pretty insular person, I don't often avail myself to others. But these folks and the TAPS people, wow. Very emotional morning. The huge Marriott hotel was filled with families that had lost the most precious people in their lives...yet the camaraderie, the happiness at being among those they could share with, was palpable.
As I was leaving the TAPS program was just getting started. As proud as I was of them, I was not
of them...I left thinking of the richness and humbleness of this great land, a land that still produces families of strength and dignity finding their way in the best manner they can muster.
Today was Memorial Day for me.