Each year, Pepperdine’s “Waves of Flags” honors the 2,977 lives lost on September 11. On the 25th anniversary of the terror attacks, @DouglasEmhoff and I visited the installation to pay our respects. We also dropped by LACoFD Station 88 to commend these brave firefighters, who have responded to three of the most devastating fires in southern California in the past decade. September 11 was the single greatest loss of first responder lives in our nation’s history, and with this small act we honor those heroes.

Dolly Parton was a true American icon. First introduced to the world as a "little girl from up in East Tennessee," she became a global superstar. Her career accolades included 11 Grammy awards, an Emmy, an honorary Oscar, and — my favorite — more than 300 million books sent to millions of children around the world through her Imagination Library. All at once she was kind, modest, and funny. With her music, her philanthropy, and her style, Dolly was one of one. Doug and I send our prayers to her family, friends, and all those who have been touched by her magic. We will always love you, Dolly.