Hero

Captain Kay Hire of the United States Navy, the first American woman named to a military combat mission, one of the first female astronauts, and my childhood hero was one of the featured speakers at the leadership development conference this morning. (She was the example I had to live up to in my head, every time I debated military service and what it really means to live honestly and with honor.)

I had the incredible thrill of meeting her and having an independent conversation about teamwork and leadership while my friend Andrew snapped a photograph. (I'll add the iPhone image later, when access beyond bberry is available.) She also autographed the frontispiece of my NLDP journal, which is essentially the handbook I'm writing for myself as a result of this course -- "To Melissa, Reach for the stars!" with rank and missions and date notated. She is one of the sweetest, humblest, most amazing people, and I am so very privileged.

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