John,

Memorial Day Murph has been a tradition in our household for nearly a decade. In CrossFit, Murph is known as a hero workout, a bone-rattling slough that pushes you to the brink of exhaustion and beyond.

Andrea and I participate in Murph every year as a small way to show our solidarity with the men and women who have lost their lives in service to our nation. Read more about Lt., Michael Murphy, at themurphchallenge.com

There is a hero inside each and every one of us. Today we honor the heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect and defend. And while I am like the vast majority of elected officials in this country, who have never served in uniform, I recognize and respect the millions of Americans who have put their lives on the line for us all.

I also pledge as a now and future political leader to enact policies that support our military families and veterans. Policies that will never again lead us into an unjust war to achieve imperialist control over foreign soil and resources. Policies that will provide exceptional health care our service members deserve.

United we can build a world where peace reigns, weapons are turned into plows, and where tax dollars are invested at home not abroad in military quagmires.

A better future is possible, but we must pledge to make it real. No more transfusions of blood for oil. No more lives lost in trumped-up military conflicts wagging the dog to ensure a political victory.

Our men and women in uniform are worth more than the political legacy of one President. They are our greatest example of leadership. Let's follow them for a change.

- Ted