A Soldier’s Toast
On January 1, 1972, at 12:05 AM, I was asked to give a toast at a New Year’s Eve Party while serving at the 24th Evac. Hospital in Long Bien, Vietnam. I have presented this toast every year at 12:05 AM to commemorate that night. I included it here in the hopes that all my readers will join me every January 1st at 12:05 AM in raising a glass to peace. General McArthur once said, “The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” I completely agree with the General, so join me if you will:
To old soldiers, may they become extinct,
Extinct because there are no more wars,
No more wars because there truly is
PEACE ON EARTH!
TO PEACE, MY FRIENDS, TO PEACE!