To all our Veterans here, Thank You!

Aw shucks; it was nothing.  But you are welcome anyway, @jerryg123 .

Absolutely, +1.

Many thanks to all veterans!

Thanks to all my fellow veterans!!

Thank you all for the kind words directed to all veterans on Veterans Day.  It truly was an honor to serve.  I always felt I was making a contribution, and, aside from being shot at, it was mostly a pleasure.  Even when shot at, I would have to agree a great deal with the words of Sir Winston Churchill: “There is nothing more exhilarating than to be shot at with no result.”  But it was still more than a little disconcerting at the time.

I was blessed to work with wonderful people in great and not-so-great places, and made life-long friends and brothers in arms. I even got a little culture in, being able to attend numerous concerts while stationed in Germany, including in Berlin, where we managed to attend performances of most of Beethoven’s symphonies, including a marvelous performance of the Sixth (Pastorale) conducted by Karl Bōhm—dating myself a bit there—and a New Year’s Day performance by the Berlin Philharmonic of the Ninth.  Majestic it was, indeed.

I never intended to make a career of the military, but various events guided me down that path, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat given the opportunity … and a younger body!

Blessings and good listening to all.