How do put in print the emotions you’ve observed these parents experience seeing their child for the first time in months, not as you left them but proud young soldiers in dress uniform. Not a crease or a mark on them. My daughter running to her son to throw her arms around him as they marched in to find their parents still brings tears as I sit here and retell all.

A formal dinner on Tuesday evening reunited us as families once more. The food was excellent and surrounding just great for a gathering of this size. We were at tables of ten and it gave us time to meet with other families and share stories.  The drill Sargents in full calvary uniforms, so much like they were in the Civil War.  Tradition through to the heart….