Do you have permission to waltz?

David nodded to the sailors, who picked up the inboard end of the platform and tilted it. The canvas slipped out smoothly from beneath the flag to fall into the ocean’s depths with the smallest of splashes, a faint ripple showing where their shipmate went to his final resting place.

“Dismissed!” Mr. Bryant told the men, who returned to their tasks, but Charley stood watching David, who was watching the men folding the flag. She asked him once if the privateers made a difference for America. [He said] "...we are not the Royal Navy with hundreds of years of ships at our beck and call. The United States is young, but we are strong because we put everything we have into the fight, especially at sea.”

--SEA CHANGE

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, the day when we remember the men and women who gave their full measure to defend our nation.  I was privileged to tour the USS Constitution yesterday, and felt especially glad that I could see this iconic frigate on Memorial Day weekend.  As it's been said, we live in the land of the free because of the brave.