We returned home Wednesday, after the fire changed course and spared our house and those of our neighbors.

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No sooner had we returned home but saw the same smug photo of Helmsley featured in the lead story on Nightly News With Brian Williams.

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We often stood on the active flight line, in the middle of the Saudi Arabian Desert, exchanging stories and life experiences and agreed that when we returned home, we would find some way to engage struggling veterans that had become homeless or who had otherwise fallen down.

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Back when I was a kid, growing up on the mean streets of Mahopac, New York, we returned home from a day at school and did (always in this order) three things: First, we had a snack (long story, but my mother hid the treats in the trunk of our '80 Datsun 510, leaving my brother and me a choice of plain graham crackers, carrots or -- dear God -- homemade yogurt).

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Countless shuttle missions have ventured beyond Earth's borders and returned safely to the home we all share.

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And we have tried to offer solace when your soldiers have returned home injured.

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We must never give up hope that any child, whatever the circumstances, will be rescued and returned safely home.

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