This inscription was placed by the government of the United States on a memorial overlooking Omaha Beach, 879 years after our family sailed from this shore to conquer England. Only God knows how many from our family have crossed this shore since, invading in both directions, fighting amongst ourselves as much as anyone else. And yet, nothing stands larger to me than the greatness of the cause and action taken by the Americans, the British, the Canadians, and all the others who made the great voyage in 1944 or contributed to its success. General Eisenhower called it a Great Crusade, and so it was.

When my father had a few hours to live, dying from cigarettes at age 63, he told me he felt ashamed he had not fought in World War II. "But Dad," I said, "you were only 17 when that war ended," as if that information might be new to him. It took 15 years for me to come up with an idea why he might have felt the way he did, but now, I think it might be obvious. I think he felt like I do today, for reasons not worthy of this spot. I do have hope this will change.

From my father, I learned about duty. He always talked about doing one's duty. He lived his duty, which he took to be launching my brothers and me as far as possible into life as he could send us.

I feel the same way about duty as my father. Also like my father, I don't have the most open mind when it comes to those who would decide for me what my duties are. In 1940, figuring out our duties was relatively easy: follow military orders and American Patriotism. Today, I don't think it is so easy. I try remembering what was important to my father, and what I want to be able to say when my time comes. I want to be able to say, "I did my duty. No excuses, Sir!"