NORMANDY — Martha Raddatz recounted an encounter in Normandy between Medal of Honor recipient Sal Giunta and a Korean War veteran during an interview about her book 'The Hero Next Door: Stories of Patriotism and Purpose.' The encounter occurred at the American Cemetery in Normandy during sunset, where a Korean War veteran initially mistook Giunta for an ordinary tourist.

General Carter Ham later introduced Giunta to the veteran as someone President Obama was about to award the Medal of Honor. At the time, Giunta was the first living Medal of Honor recipient from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts since the Vietnam War.

Raddatz described the moment as one of power and solemnity that illustrated how heroes are not easily recognizable. "The moment was so powerful and so solemn," she said. "It really illustrates that you don't always know who the heroes are just by looking at them."

Raddatz has reported from the front lines of America's wars for more than two decades. Her book 'The Hero Next Door' focuses on service members, their families, and everyday Americans whose sacrifices often go unnoticed.

She stated that her book does not argue for or against any particular war. "I'm not making a case for war or against war," Raddatz said. She argued that citizens must understand who is fighting the nation’s wars in order to make informed decisions about when the U.S. goes to war.

Raddatz expressed concern that the U.S. has become culturally, geographically, and emotionally disconnected from its military. She noted that a shrinking percentage of Americans have military experience. She compared the post-9/11 generation of service members favorably to the World War II 'Greatest Generation' and defined courage as doing one’s best in unexpected circumstances and thinking of others before oneself.