Cait Conley

Anne Holmes- Ben, thanks so much. And to how you introduced this episode, I could not agree more on the importance about talking about things like West Point and the importance of service and how that type of leadership and that type of sacrifice transcends all. It's not political. It's patriotic.

Anne Holmes- Ben, thanks so much. And to how you introduced this episode, I could not agree more on the importance about talking about things like West Point and the importance of service and how that type of leadership and that type of sacrifice transcends all. It's not political. It's patriotic.

Anne Holmes- Ben, thanks so much. And to how you introduced this episode, I could not agree more on the importance about talking about things like West Point and the importance of service and how that type of leadership and that type of sacrifice transcends all. It's not political. It's patriotic.

And unfortunately, what we saw transpire at the commencement address didn't resonate with those types of ethics or ethos. And so I do think it's really important that we talk about these types of issues. the signal through the noise and why it matters. And so I'll tell you somebody who, born and raised in the Hudson Valley, I was a junior in high school when 9-11 happened.

And unfortunately, what we saw transpire at the commencement address didn't resonate with those types of ethics or ethos. And so I do think it's really important that we talk about these types of issues. the signal through the noise and why it matters. And so I'll tell you somebody who, born and raised in the Hudson Valley, I was a junior in high school when 9-11 happened.

And unfortunately, what we saw transpire at the commencement address didn't resonate with those types of ethics or ethos. And so I do think it's really important that we talk about these types of issues. the signal through the noise and why it matters. And so I'll tell you somebody who, born and raised in the Hudson Valley, I was a junior in high school when 9-11 happened.

And I went home that night and I told my mom, I'm applying to West Point. And that's because we didn't have much growing up. My mom works for the Postal Service for 47 years. My dad was a construction worker. So total blue collar family. Didn't have many means, but I will tell you, we had a tremendous amount of pride in this nation.

And I went home that night and I told my mom, I'm applying to West Point. And that's because we didn't have much growing up. My mom works for the Postal Service for 47 years. My dad was a construction worker. So total blue collar family. Didn't have many means, but I will tell you, we had a tremendous amount of pride in this nation.

And I went home that night and I told my mom, I'm applying to West Point. And that's because we didn't have much growing up. My mom works for the Postal Service for 47 years. My dad was a construction worker. So total blue collar family. Didn't have many means, but I will tell you, we had a tremendous amount of pride in this nation.

and a strong sense of service to your neighbors, to your community, to country. And so that's why going to West Point was undoubtedly the right answer for me. I also give credit to Demi Moore and G.I. Jane, which I watched a ton of as a kid. I'm helping know that's the direction I wanted to go, at least in military service.

and a strong sense of service to your neighbors, to your community, to country. And so that's why going to West Point was undoubtedly the right answer for me. I also give credit to Demi Moore and G.I. Jane, which I watched a ton of as a kid. I'm helping know that's the direction I wanted to go, at least in military service.

and a strong sense of service to your neighbors, to your community, to country. And so that's why going to West Point was undoubtedly the right answer for me. I also give credit to Demi Moore and G.I. Jane, which I watched a ton of as a kid. I'm helping know that's the direction I wanted to go, at least in military service.

But that responsibility, that privilege to serve, I mean, this is really one of the most beautiful things. I think that represents who we are as a nation. And so, yeah, the four years at West Point and that experience was truly incredible and shaping as a young officer to then lead men and women in uniform on combat tours overseas. As you talked about, 16 years in active duty service.

But that responsibility, that privilege to serve, I mean, this is really one of the most beautiful things. I think that represents who we are as a nation. And so, yeah, the four years at West Point and that experience was truly incredible and shaping as a young officer to then lead men and women in uniform on combat tours overseas. As you talked about, 16 years in active duty service.

But that responsibility, that privilege to serve, I mean, this is really one of the most beautiful things. I think that represents who we are as a nation. And so, yeah, the four years at West Point and that experience was truly incredible and shaping as a young officer to then lead men and women in uniform on combat tours overseas. As you talked about, 16 years in active duty service.

I will tell you, I went back to West Point often during those years when I'd visit my family. to remind myself about the incredible ideals that that institution was established on and cultivates in the next generation of military leaders.

I will tell you, I went back to West Point often during those years when I'd visit my family. to remind myself about the incredible ideals that that institution was established on and cultivates in the next generation of military leaders.

I will tell you, I went back to West Point often during those years when I'd visit my family. to remind myself about the incredible ideals that that institution was established on and cultivates in the next generation of military leaders.

And it's this beautiful place where, you know, you have young men and women from all 50 states and territories, from families that span the economic spectrum of some of our country's poorest to some of our country's wealthiest families. And they're all there with this one incredible calling, and that is to serve our country. to swear an oath to the Constitution, right?

And it's this beautiful place where, you know, you have young men and women from all 50 states and territories, from families that span the economic spectrum of some of our country's poorest to some of our country's wealthiest families. And they're all there with this one incredible calling, and that is to serve our country. to swear an oath to the Constitution, right?