I loved going to all of the musical events when my children were young and always felt that we made a good decision in choosing a school that did not neglect the arts. The board should have made a plea for funds immediately after any holiday pageant, since the emotions triggered by beautiful children raising a joyful noise always made parents easy marks for a financial plea.
One evening in 2001, the children’s music teacher announced that she had tendered her resignation in order to join the military. Moved by the terrorist attacks of 9/11, this young woman gave up a safe position educating children out of her intense sense of duty to her country. I find myself thinking about her lately. Today, she must be in her forties and I have no idea whatever happened to her. Yet, she represents for me the many idealistic young people that have come to the service of their country during the last 20 years.
We need to acknowledge the unfolding events in Afghanistan and we always consider the geopolitical situation when making investment decisions. Yet, we are loathe to join the miasma of armchair generals and foreign-policy amateurs that surrounds all of us now. Instead, we need to express our gratitude to that young woman and all of those like her who served out of nobility of purpose and generosity of spirit. They are our leaders of tomorrow. We also solemnly remember the victims of 9/11 and all of those who nobly sacrificed their lives because they wanted to make the world a better place.