I adore my wife. I really do. Besides putting up with me, she’s a lot of fun to be with. And last week I wasn’t with her at all because she was in NYC for 10 days and 9 nights on business. Chris is an event producer. When she does her job well, which is always, you won’t even notice her work. And that’s kind of her goal or at least one of them. She produces events for celebrities, foundations, corporations and charities. Last week, she was away producing an event for her client, Microsoft. She loves working on this project. She loves the people, she loves the cause and she loves spending time in New York. (Selfishly, I hate this event!)

For the past two years, Microsoft, in partnership with the USO, has done a 3 day event around Veteran’s Day called “A Salute to Our Troops.” It’s an amazing program that culminates with a Radio City Musical Hall performance by the Rockettes. I went to last year’s event and it is truly wonderful. This year, building off of the prior year’s success, more top military brass attended. This made Christine’s job slightly more complicated because of the additional security. But as usual, she handled this added charge with discretion and quiet excellence. In that way, it is difficult to notice how well she does her job. I know because I see how much work goes into making things seem seamless. Last week, a few other people noticed Christine’s peerless performance. Independently, she was given three challenge coins; one by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, Vice Chief of Staff, General Pete Chiarelli, and another by a member of the Protective Services Battalion, otherwise known as the Secret Service. Today, a challenge coin is given by the military, to signify excellence of service but their tradition originally began as a drinking game of sorts. (Read more about challenge coins here.) I am not surprised that Christine’s hard work was recognized by members of the military. Who better than them to recognize precision and excellence. I am so very proud of Chris.

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