Taking Chance

Last night I watched a movie that will stay with me for a long time.

Kevin Bacon starred as a Marine Lieutenant Colonel who is escorting a fallen Marine from Dover, Delaware to the young man's final resting place in Colorado. The film is a brilliant achievement of humility, understatement and simplicity. As a former Marine officer myself, I identified with the sense of duty and emotional conflict of the Bacon character.

The film reminded me of the importance of life story capture and celebration, even among the young.

Wisdom from George Patton's Family

One of our Legacy Consultants, Nancy Gale, sent us a great article from the June issue of Smithsonian Magazine by Benjamin Patton (General George Patton's grandson) contains this gem. The whole article is worth reading.

Every family has a story, and every member's story is worth preserving—certainly for the living family, but even more so for future generations. Experiencing history through the lens of another person's life can offer unexpected insight into your own. It gets you to think: What sort of mark will I make? How will I be remembered?

The key is to start now, whether with a tape recorder or video camera. In her wonderful book The Writing Life, Annie Dillard tells of a note found in Michelangelo's studio after he died. I have a copy pinned up in my office. Scribbled by the elderly artist to an apprentice, it reads: "Draw, Antonio, draw, Antonio, draw and do not waste time."

Nine Questions Everyone Should Ask a Veteran on Memorial Day

The Priceless Legacy Company released its list of Nine Questions Everyone Should Ask a Veteran on Memorial Day

Too many people procrastinate asking a veteran they know some simple questions. They do so at their peril. So this Memorial Day, ask a veteran these simple questions and record the answers if you can.

1. When, where and how did you serve?
2. Why did you serve?
3. Can you recall any special stories from that time?
4. Who do you think about on Memorial Day?
5. Tell me about some of your friendships from that time.
6. Do you think young people today have the same commitment to service as your generation? Why or why not?
7. How do you feel each year at Memorial Day?
8. How did you feel when you came home from your period of service?
9. What lessons did you learn through your service?

As a former peace-time U.S. Marine officer, I have an acute awareness of the importance and meaning of Memorial Day. We owe the men and women a debt of gratitude for their service, dedication and sacrifice. One of the best ways we can show our support is to have the courtesy and curiosity to listen to their accounts and preserve them for the future.