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Thursday, May 30, 2002

I'm making this entry from Arlington, Virginia. I arrived to do customer training last Monday, Memorial Day here in the U.S. My hotel is near the Arlington National Cemetery, I visited the cemetary and attended the service at the Women's Memorial. It was moving to hear the tributes to the men and women from a number of countries who had lost their lives in conflicts dating back to the World Wars.

Sadly there were a number of tributes to women and men lost in the Sept 11 attack on the nearby Pentagon. It was also noteworthy -- to me at least -- that the Queen Mother was also recognized, due to her stalwart support of the fighting effort in the second World War. "America has lost a true friend."

I was also moved by the ceremony and the scope of the cemetery itself. Row upon row, acre upon acre, of crosses marking the graves of those who gave their lives in service of their country is something I'll not forget. A very sobering and awe-inspiring experience.