“Cookie, you’ve outdone yourself. Again. Bravo to the chef!”
“Here, here, here!” Rang out the whole army.
“I’ve got a toast to the general, to Tonto, 1st Platoon and Sergeant Major White. To El Segundo, and his Unknown Platoon, Capt. Rossi and A Company, Lt. Rossi and B Company, Master Sergeant York, and Private Benjamin, and finally, Cookie, and Lady Ashley,
here’s to you all, I’m humbled by your hospitality, and I’m honored to be here.”
“Cheers.” I raise my glass. Everybody stands up. They tap their glasses with silverware.
“00-RAH!”
“You may have noticed I didn’t mention Wilson. That was intentional. I have a special toast for my friend.”
“To brotherhood, and loyalty. Wilson, I love you with all my heart.”
“I’d go to the ends of the earth for you. My mother used to say this to me when she put me to bed at night, “if you love me, as I love you, no knife could cut our love in two.”
“For you Wilson, my Pythias, I’m your Damon.”
I don’t know how many of the soldiers knew that tale, but I’m guessing they all did
– not a one of them made a sound. They all stood there. Almost at attention. And held a moment of silence.
me, the Dalai Lama & Jack Nicholson 