I have faced duties with a high cost to myself, but none like that ( Read more... )

A commanding officer owes loyalty to his subordinates even as they owe loyalty to him. When we pursue these men and women out of loyalty, there are still these bonds that tie us together. The trust I owe to those I command, that they will do their duty as I mine ( Read more... )

In ways, it grows easier. I forget my fears, and lose myself in -- something else. Something much warmer ( Read more... )

Patience is a lesson I learned long ago and a lesson I must teach myself anew, it seems, with fair continuity. It is a good time of year for the reminder, in the autumn, with the new year rearing up around the corner. The leaves are still green in Washington, and yet ( Read more... )

Many in X-Factor place their loyalty in love of country. Mine is obviously not there. My country is far from here, an ache in the back of my throat; the closest I get to it is an image out of memory, wavering at the corners of my vision like a heat vision mirage ( Read more... )