Well, hello, my friends, and welcome to the Live Inspired podcast Monday morning moments with John O'Leary.

We record these each week so that you and I can begin our days and these weeks

and on on fire with a burst of inspiration. And on this Memorial Day Monday, we wanted to make sure

we begin with the right next step forward. So here we go. I am an American fighting in the forces

which guard my country and our way of life. I am an American fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.

I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

And so begins Article 1 of the Code of Conduct for every member of the Armed Forces of the United

States of America.

Each enlisted person recognizes the profound risk they assume

and beginning their service to the country.

They understand by enlisting in the armed forces,

the ultimate sacrifice they might be making

and protecting that country and that way of life.

And yet, my friends, what about their families?

And what about the ones who hugged their child goodbye or kissed their sweetheart

or pleaded with their parent to be careful?

Who notifies these parents and those spouses and the children when their loved one loses

their life in support of the country.

Well, beginning near the end of World War II and then formalized during the onset of the Vietnam

War, each branch of the military developed its own process to follow when informing the family of fallen soldiers.

For the Marine Corps, this ministry is carried out by the officers who bear the emotionally devastating responsibility of notifying families of the loss of their loved ones in the line of duty.

The Marine Corps Casualty Assistance calls officers,

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