© 2025 Shared Tears and Moonlit Bridge Productions. All Rights Reserved.
Profiles in Courage
A Veterans Day Tribute
Sharing Stories
Do you have an amazing story to
share? A personal experience of
triumph over tragedy? Of using
the transformative power of grief
as a force for good, perhaps to
fuel acts of courage and
compassion? If so, we would love
to hear from you. Please contact
us HERE
We invite frank and heartfelt
discussions about a wide range of
sometimes difficult yet important
topics of our time. If you would like
to share your personal story or
expertise, as a guest on a future
episode of Shared Tears Podcast,
please contact us HERE
It was a 1787 journal entry written by James McHenry of
Maryland, a Constitutional Convention delegate, that
described an encounter between an inquiring unnamed
“lady” and Dr. Benjamin Franklin. According to McHenry,
Franklin, having left the Convention, was approached by a
“lady” who kindly asked him: ‘Well Doctor, what have we got,
a republic or a monarchy?” He famously replied: “A republic, if
you can keep it.” A powerful and sobering reminder of a need
for vigilance.
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty" -
Thomas Jefferson
Democracy
is
a
constantly
evolving
system
of
government
that
requires
the
active
participation
and
vigilance
of
its
citizens “to keep it.”
Vigilance
calls
on
us
to
speak
out
when
witnessing
acts
of
cruelty,
injustice,
corruption,
or
threats
to
the
Constitution.
It
requires
we
stay
informed,
supporting
candidates
who
pledge
to
uphold
the
constitution,
to
protect
the
separations
of
powers,
as
well
as
civil
and
human
rights,
and
the
rule
of
law.
Together,
we
must
remain
vigilant
and
committed
to
efforts
to
keep Democracy alive for generations to come.
"Democracy cannot succeed unless those
who express their choice are prepared to
choose wisely" - former US President
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Please join me in embracing the principles and promise of
our precious democracy, while honoring the service and
sacrifice of both peace keepers and the members of the
armed forces who fight for freedom and liberty the world
over, including members of my own family, extended family,
and close friends.
I think of my maternal grandfather, who as a young man from
New Jersey, answered a call greater than himself. He was only
29 years old in March of 1944 when he enlisted in the United
States Army. His noble aim was to join in the fight to help
liberate Europe from the expanding reach of Nazism and
Hitler Fascism during WWII.
He was serving with the 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th
Infantry Division, on September 20, 1944 when a land mine
on foreign soil took his life. He, alongside many other young
brave souls that day, paid the ultimate price for freedom. He
left behind his beloved six-year-old daughter (my mom), and a
bereaved young wife (my grandma). He was posthumously
awarded the Purple Heart, and memorialized at the Lorraine
American Cemetery. His final resting place is marked by a
simple white cross, Plot C, Row 12, Grave 102. One, in a field
of white crosses dotting the manicured landscape as far as
the eye can see. He is in good company. Each marker, the
end of a hero’s journey. Each life lived, a story worth sharing
over generations. We must never forget their examples of
valor, honor, selfless sacrifice, and sense of duty of the highest
order.
I’m sorry I never had a chance to meet him, to know him, to
hug him, or tell him that he was loved and has been missed all
these many years. His memory lives on the lips of family
members who still speak his name, or during moments of
quiet reflection. I proudly stand on his shoulders today,
knowing his brave and selfless spirit is part of my DNA.
My grandma eventually remarried, a marriage lasting more
than fifty years. Our “Popi” served honorably in WWII as well,
and oftened shared stories of his time in the military. My dad,
drafted during Vietnam, chose to serve as a base physician
alongside the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. And one of my
brother’s served as a Naval physician during the Iraq War. Our
family has had a proud and long standing tradition of military
service. And, although Popi, my dad, and brother thankfully
returned home, the horror of war left its mark on each of
them in unique and deeply personal ways. War always leaves
its mark, in history books, across cemetery landscapes, and
deep within the souls of those who stand witness and live to
tell their stories.
To celebrate Veterans Day 2025, I would like to express my
deepest gratitude, to the grandpa I never met, along with all
of the members of my family, extended family members, close
friends, and other brave and noble men and women of the
armed forces who have answered the call. Thank you all for
your sacrifice, and for fighting against tyranny, fascism, crimes
against humanity and the threat to freedom and liberty
around the world. And thank you for helping in our fight to
keep our Republic! Thank you!
It has been eight decades since allied forces joined to defeat
Hitler Fascism and Nazism, as it marched across Europe. But
eight decades is a long time, memories fade, and most who
bore witness have passed away. Over time, it’s easy to
become complacent, distracted, or worse, apathetic and
suspicious of the historical record.
Like many, I was raised in a household that celebrated and
honored the principles of Democracy and our freedom and
rights guaranteed under the Constitution. Yet, as I write this,
our Democracy and the U.S. Constitution are in peril. These
are dangerous and uncertain times.
Democracy is not perfect. No government structure “of the
people, by the people, and for the people,” can be. But the
promise of democracy supports the idea that our future
collective efforts can and will do better, be better, and choose
better - it’s built in. It guarantees each of us, by our vote, a
seat at the decison making table. Ever evolving, ever
improving and ever moving forward towards a future that
promotes and protects both Civil and Human Rights, the Rule
of Law, and Justice and Liberty for All. I believe the promise of
democracies around the world, give humanity the best
chance of bringing a vision of a brighter future for everyone
to fruition. So let us stand with all who strive to protect and
uphold the Constitution and the gift of our Democracy by
remaining vigilant, united, engaged and informed. Happy
Veterans Day everyone!
Peace and Love to All,
Sandi UPDATED 11/09/2025
© 2025 Shared Tears and Moonlit Bridge Productions. All Rights Reserved.
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty" -
Thomas Jefferson
Profiles in Courage
A Veterans Day Tribute
Sharing Stories
Do you have an amazing story to share? A personal
experience of triumph over tragedy? Of using the the
transformative power of grief as a force for good,
perhaps to fuel acts of courage or compassion? If so, we
would love to hear from you. Please contact us HERE
We invite frank and heartfelt discussions about a wide range
of sometimes difficult yet important topics of our time. If you
would like to share your personal story or expertise, as a
guest on a future episode of Shared Tears Podcast, please
contact us HERE
It was a 1787 journal entry written by James McHenry of
Maryland, a Constitutional Convention delegate, that
described an encounter between an inquiring unnamed
“lady” and Dr. Benjamin Franklin. According to McHenry,
Franklin, having left the Convention, was approached by a
“lady” who kindly asked him: ‘Well Doctor, what have we got,
a republic or a monarchy?” He famously replied: “A republic, if
you can keep it.” A powerful and sobering reminder of a need
for vigilance.
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty" -
Thomas Jefferson
Democracy
is
a
constantly
evolving
system
of
government
that
requires
the
active
participation
and
vigilance
of
its
citizens “to keep it.”
Vigilance
calls
on
us
to
speak
out
when
witnessing
acts
of
cruelty,
injustice,
corruption,
or
threats
to
the
Constitution.
It
requires
we
stay
informed,
supporting
candidates
who
pledge
to
uphold
the
constitution,
to
protect
the
separations
of
powers,
as
well
as
civil
and
human
rights,
and
the
rule
of
law.
Together,
we
must
remain
vigilant
and
committed
to
efforts
to
keep Democracy alive for generations to come.
"Democracy cannot succeed unless those
who express their choice are prepared to
choose wisely" - former US President
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Please join me in embracing the principles and promise of
our precious democracy, while honoring the service and
sacrifice of both peace keepers and the members of the
armed forces who fight for freedom and liberty the world
over, including members of my own family, extended family,
and close friends.
I think of my maternal grandfather, who as a young man from
New Jersey, answered a call greater than himself. He was only
29 years old in March of 1944 when he enlisted in the United
States Army. His noble aim was to join in the fight to help
liberate Europe from the expanding reach of Nazism and
Hitler Fascism during WWII.
He was serving with the 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th
Infantry Division, on September 20, 1944 when a land mine
on foreign soil took his life. He, alongside many other young
brave souls that day, paid the ultimate price for freedom. He
left behind his beloved six-year-old daughter (my mom), and a
bereaved young wife (my grandma). He was posthumously
awarded the Purple Heart, and memorialized at the Lorraine
American Cemetery. His final resting place is marked by a
simple white cross, Plot C, Row 12, Grave 102. One, in a field
of white crosses dotting the manicured landscape as far as
the eye can see. He is in good company. Each marker, the
end of a hero’s journey. Each life lived, a story worth sharing
over generations. We must never forget their examples of
valor, honor, selfless sacrifice, and sense of duty of the highest
order.
I’m sorry I never had a chance to meet him, to know him, to
hug him, or tell him that he was loved and has been missed all
these many years. His memory lives on the lips of family
members who still speak his name, or during moments of
quiet reflection. I proudly stand on his shoulders today,
knowing his brave and selfless spirit is part of my DNA.
My grandma eventually remarried, a marriage lasting more
than fifty years. Our “Popi” served honorably in WWII as well,
and oftened shared stories of his time in the military. My dad,
drafted during Vietnam, chose to serve as a base physician
alongside the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. And one of my
brother’s served as a Naval physician during the Iraq War. Our
family has had a proud and long standing tradition of military
service. And, although Popi, my dad, and brother thankfully
returned home, the horror of war left its mark on each of
them in unique and deeply personal ways. War always leaves
its mark, in history books, across cemetery landscapes, and
deep within the souls of those who stand witness and live to
tell their stories.
To celebrate Veterans Day 2025, I would like to express my
deepest gratitude, to the grandpa I never met, along with all
of the members of my family, extended family members, close
friends, and other brave and noble men and women of the
armed forces who have answered the call. Thank you all for
your sacrifice, and for fighting against tyranny, fascism, crimes
against humanity and the threat to freedom and liberty
around the world. And thank you for helping us to fight to
keep our Republic! Thank you!
It has been eight decades since allied forces joined to defeat
Hitler Fascism and Nazism, as it marched across Europe. But
eight decades is a long time, memories fade, and most who
bore witness have passed away. Over time, it’s easy to
become complacent, distracted, or worse, apathetic and
suspicious of the historical record.
Like many, I was raised in a household that celebrated and
honored the principles of Democracy and our freedom and
rights guaranteed under the Constitution. Yet, as I write this,
our Democracy and the U.S. Constitution are in peril. These
are dangerous and uncertain times.
Democracy is not perfect. No government structure “of the
people, by the people, and for the people,” can be. But the
promise of democracy supports the idea that our future
collective efforts can and will do better, be better, and choose
better - it’s built in. It guarantees each of us, by our vote, a
seat at the decison making table. Ever evolving, ever
improving and ever moving forward towards a future that
promotes and protects both Civil and Human Rights, the Rule
of Law, and Justice and Liberty for All. I believe the promise of
democracies around the world give humanity the best chance
of bringing a vision of a brighter future for everyone to
fruition. So let us stand with all who strive to protect and
uphold the Constitution and the gift of our Democracy by
remaining vigilant, united, engaged and informed. Happy
Veterans Day everyone!
Peace and Love to All,
Sandi UPDATED 11/09/2025
