Ladies, Gentlemen,

What a great time ! Enough character in that Hotel room for 3 or 4 good John Wayne Movies... or at least a couple Bat Man flicks...

First things first.... Tom, thank you and your better half VERY much for the hospitality and friendship. Next time we'll have to arrange things though so you and Eric can drink that Scotch.

Bob Taylor and Mike Reber - Thank you VERY much for the plaque and t-shirt. The plaque is destined for a memorial on my property in Mass. It is absolutely fantastic Bob. Some of the memorial design is still being thought about but when it's done I will be sure to post pictures. the plaque will accompany me on Thanksgiving when our family gets together up there. I will let Ma know that it was the handiwork of that crusty 'ol Texan she got so pipe'in mad at.... :-) Full response will be posted.

The t-shirt is great Mike, VERY nice art work ! Several of the guys signed it and it will be with me in Texas next year for others to sign.

Bob K., thank you for the coins and for letting me place one on 38W. I am very glad to finally meet you. Yesterday felt like just the right timing to have finally gotten together, but at the same time it still felt long overdue.... You have a very nice wife, please let her know I was glad to meet her.

Dave Fogg, I hope you can make plans for the next time. It was great to finally meet you. Next time though we'll have to get some lunch together some place and let the 119th guys tell tales without us. We'll talk about the 4th.

Lumpy, good to meet you finally and thank you VERY much for the "items". They have already been tucked away in my chest of valuables to be talked about with my grandkids someday....

I met some really super people who I hope can find a few minutes to drop by the site and say hello. Charlie, Eric, Brian, Fred and of course all the 119th guys, Richard Harrison, Joe Quinn and John Hunter. It was an honor. Take care of yourselves until next year and don't be shy about posting some messages on here !

To all of you, I cannot say in words what yesterday meant to me. I did not go there for myself but rather to sit in my Brothers chair at the table. Everyone I met accepted me like I was part of the Unit and that to me was great and beyond words.

Thanks to everyone for everything. Marty was lucky to have served with you all.

- Mark

P.S.

Believe it or not, I actually met a guy who was stationed at Panzer Kaserne in Germany a few years before I was. I think it was the first time I jawed with anyone about that place since I've been out.