To my grandfather, retired Col. Herman F. Allen, ex-POW, and to all Vets — thank you!

Herman Allen, 92 this year, has been a servant leader all his life. When I joined Peace Corps in 1998, he told me how proud he was of me for serving my country. That meant so much to me, coming from a colonel, a former prisoner of war, and my granddad. The title of this blog comes from his comment, from the notion that enlisting in “the Service” can include a broader scope of service opportunities than just military.

But on Veterans Day, it’s all about military service, and the brave people who have put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free.

Read more about Veterans Day.