just had an unsolicited early xmas vacation and spent 22 of the past 30 days in the durham nc veterans hospital. had to have a serious operation . i will never forget some of the veterans i met. 2 of my roommates were exposed to agent orange in vietnam in the 60's. it was amazing to meet so many people from all walks of life who are connected because of the military. the most memorable men i met were a young man paralized from serving in desert storm, a world war II vet who was 91 and a korean vet who was having brain cancer treated. i found that the doctors and the nursing staff had a genuine respect for the patients. [many of the doctors also worked at duke med center] . i haven't thought much about my military service since it was years ago in 1971-1973[ i did not go to vietnam] but i am very proud that i did serve my country. god bless our military.