This week in Washington, I had the privilege of visiting with hundreds of Nebraska Korean War veterans as they participated in their “Honor Flight.” Despite the bizarre wintry weather, the veterans made their way to the Korean War Memorial dedicated in honor of their service. The Korean War is in the distant past, but through the efforts of the Honor Flight volunteers, a proper tribute is being given to those who sacrificed so much in a far away land.

At the memorial, I ran into my good friend Noala Fritz from Verdon, Nebraska. Noala’s oldest son Jacob was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point. In 2007, he was killed in Karbala, Iraq. When I called the family to offer my condolences, I asked Noala if there was anything I could do. She said, “My second son, Dan, is graduating from West Point next year. It would be nice if you could come.” I told her I would try to be there.

I knew that Noala may not have recalled the invitation, given so kindly in the midst of her grief over Jacob’s death. As it got closer to graduation, I called Noala back and said, “You may not remember this, but you invited me to Dan’s graduation. My family and I would like to be there.” She responded very generously and said they would love to have us.

If you ever have a chance to go a West Point graduation, I highly recommend it. Our service academies have a very strong sense of tradition. West Point began as an important military post for George Washington during the Revolutionary War. The beautiful campus strategically placed high above the Hudson River Valley in New York is replete with the sense of its essential role in American history. The orderly and dignified graduation ceremony celebrates the achievements of the young men and women called to service at the highest levels. At the end of the ceremony, the cadets all toss their hats, and the children present rush the field to gather them, a tradition my daughters greatly enjoyed!

After our interaction at West Point, I got to know the Fritz family even better. Noala’s father served in the Air Force, and her husband Lyle was a Vietnam War veteran. Lyle passed away prematurely a few years ago. Noala’s youngest son Ethan also chose military service, enrolling in the officer training program at Texas A&M.

Noala has spent more than thirty years teaching young people at Falls City High School. By anyone’s measure, she has given so much in service to our country. But she just keeps giving. There she was, volunteering on the Korean War Honor Flight, smiling despite the long day and wet weather, and wanting to tell me that her son Dan had recently married.

While I was surprised to see Noala with our veterans in the cold and damp in Washington, I really should not have been. Nebraska values.