We Band of Brothers

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen now at home a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap while any speaks
That fought with us.

Many years ago, I found myself flying helicopters with a group of exceptional  men in a place called Vietnam. We were of different backgrounds. We came from all over. We were thrown together by the mysterious workings of the Army Assignments System and we were all probably a little bit crazy. We translated that craziness into mission success. We grew into and shared a spirit and swagger unique to our unit. 

We became a band of brothers; we remain so today. At one point in the history of this planet we were the best in the world at what we did.

No one needs to tell us we were winning when they sent us home; we know it. 

We are brothers. Brothers we shall remain.

To my brothers, before, during, and after, I salute you. 

Welcome home.