Semper Fi: Happy Birthday to the U.S. Marines

As part of our annual participation at the Marine Corps Birthday Gala in New York City, we have honored Veterans Advantage board member Gerry Byrne, the co-chair and founder of the event for his extraordinary accomplishments, too numerous to list here. This month we honor his co-chair, Marine and actor Harvey Keitel. Byrne and Keitel started the event 11 years ago, and have made it a real institution among Marines and those in the NYC area. From the Mayor’s office, to the Commandant himself, everyone has something great to say about this night honoring the Corps and service to the country. Proceeds from the event this year support Fisher House, which provides free or low cost lodging to veterans and military families receiving treatment at military medical centers. With his great sense of purpose and enthusiasm, and dedication to helping others, Harvey embodies the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis. Thank you, Harvey

Attending the Gala with Lin and me were Board member Peter Eldredge (a former Publisher of Newsweek) and his wife Carol, great friends Katie and Matt Gormly (Katie’s Marine father Jack Meyer was a former Publisher of Time), and Maureen Reidy, the former head of the Miss Universe organization. It was a spectacular evening

Finally, I cannot write to you this week without a note about our presidential election. While we may differ politically, all of us can take pride in our country breaking with its racial past. We are turning a new page in American history and as John McCain reminded us in his gracious concession speech, now is the time to pull together as a nation, and strengthen our resolve to address the serious and complicated issues facing our country. None of this will be easy. As we approach Veterans Day, we pray for our troops, that they may one day return safely to their families and loved ones.