The guns fell silent on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

Here it is 87 years later and friends of mine are risking their lives over in Iraq and Afghanistan. My thoughts and prayers go out to them. Several of them were my old "squadlings" and we served together during Desert Shield/Storm back in 90/91. There are times when I really feel like I should be over there keeping an eye on them, but I have to be realistic. The last thing they need is an old fat out-of-shape Sergeant to have to keep an eye on. Besides, if I did my job, they don't need my training anymore. They're training the next group of young soldiers and passing on what little I knew as well as what they've learned since then.

So, tonight, I raise a glass to toast my fellow veterans as well as the men and women in uniform today.

To the members of the Technical Control and Analysis Element, HHOC, 311th MI BN, 101st Airborne Div (AASLT). May tonight find you safe and healthy!