John, this Memorial Day, we pause to honor the thousands of Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I hope your Memorial Day is reflective and restorative for you and your loved ones. 

As a third-generation military veteran, I am eternally grateful for the service of our armed forces. Memorial Day is an important day for my family: I served in the Air Force, both my grandfather and father served in the Navy, my brother was an Army medic, and many of my cousins served as well. Some are still in uniform.

In my family, we have a family tradition every time we visit my grandparents' graves in Arlington: we leave a quarter. My grandmother loved state quarters. I was able to carry on this family tradition in years past in Normandy and in Pennsylvania on the graves of our fallen.

This year, I was able to honor the fallen in a couple of ways. I helped to lay a wreath at the Women's Veterans Monument and I was able to wash the Vietnam Memorial with my veteran colleagues from both sides of the aisle. I left a quarter there as well. 

So many who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. So many to honor.

John, from my hand to yours – an expression of gratitude for those who have sacrificed everything for our country:

John, from my heart to yours, I'm wishing you a peaceful Memorial Day. 

Chrissy