The roar of eleven thousand people in the stadium bleachers hit me like a wall of warm air.

General Vance stood at the center microphone, his dress blue uniform sharply pressed, his wire-rimmed glasses catching the midday glare.

I took my place three steps behind him, pulling my shoulders back and tucking my yellow legal pad under my arm.

General Vance adjusted his microphone, and the low hum of the sound system echoed across the grass field.

“Distinguished guests, faculty, and graduating cadets,” he said, his commanding voice filling the stadium.

“Before I introduce our keynote speaker, there’s something about this podium that few people in this stadium know.”