In October 1966, I called my family from Gustavus Adolphus College to let them know I had decided to become a Marine. I remember the call as if it was yesterday: My mother dropped the phone and didn’t say a word. My father, on the other hand, a World War II Navy veteran, had a much more eloquent response, applauding me for becoming “just another sea-going bellhop.”

Thus began my military career, with a proud call to serve.