[Night Hides Not]

Thanks for your service, Mike. As a butterbar platoon leader, my most valuable guidance came from my 3 Platoon Sergeants, all who had at least one tour in Nam. In garrison, they ran the show. Once we left the motor pool, it was showtime for me, and I reveled in it.

Couldn't understand why so many didn't rise to the occasion. I was having the time of my life, and my soldiers fed off of that.

Now, the Courtney Massengales are doing their best to run off the few Sam Damons remaining. I aspired to be Sam, but that was a high bar to reach.

[Retain Mike]

One of my most memorable experiences was the wetting down party given from the essence of the bilges of my ship by my senior chief when I made LTJG. His first action was the Battle of the Coral Sea. What a privilege for me.