Recently giving a speech on leadership, I was humbled to be in the presence of several great military heroes, far more accomplished than myself.

During the talk, I was asked to describe what Memorial Day means to me, a 26-year veteran of the CIA. It was a straightforward question, but one relatively unique in meaning. After all, I did not serve in the U.S. military, but rather in the silent service of the CIA, the Directorate of Operations.