Living in the Presidio, within a few steps of one of the largest national cemeteries in our country, brings us to the heart of Memorial Day.

Nearly every year, my parents drive in from the South Bay and join my kids and I in what is typically a foggy wake of summer. We bundle up and make our way to the flag-studded grave stones, along with the family and friends of those who have passed. There, we have the opportunity to pay our respects to those who lost their lives for our country. We do this by hearing their stories, shared by those who have gathered. It is clear that, the way they lived their lives teaches us so much about how to make the world a better place. It is my hope that, one day, these stories will help us, collectively, approach other people and other societies with the type of dignity and grace that may even prevent war from happening in the first place.