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Looking for fellow troopers? We have a list of some of the Troopers that have contacted us and asked to send them any information given to contact them from fellow Troopers.

Yesterday as I entered the Key Gate at Ft Sill, Oklahoma, again I found myself back at an old familiar Army post of my youth; a place where I was again greeted by an imposing security guard who looked carefully at my identification card, handed it back and said, "Have a good day, Sir!" Every time I go back to any Military Post it feels good to be called by my previous rank, but odd to be in civilian clothes, walking among the servicemen and women going about their duties as I once did, so many years ago.

The Army Post is a comfort zone for anyone who has ever worn the uniform. It's a place where you know the rules and know they are enforced -- a place where everybody is busy, but not too busy to respectfully take care of business. There exists behind the gates of every Army Post an institutional understanding of respect, order, uniformity, accountability, and dedication that becomes part of our marrow and never, ever totally leaves us.

Personally, I miss the fact that I always knew where I stood in the military, and with whom I was dealing. That's because you could read somebody's uniform from 20 feet away and know the score. This morning as I ate breakfast, I looked around at all the 'young' faces. Soldiers 'wear' much of their careers on their uniforms, so to speak. When you approach each other, you can read their name tag, examine their rank, determine where they served in combat, recognize where they are currently serving, and, if they are in dress uniform, read their ribbons and learn even more about their careers.

I miss all those little things that we took for granted when we served, like the bugle calls echoing across the Post that woke us in the morning and sent us to bed each night . We 'broke starch' on a set of fatigues fresh from the laundry each day and stood in a perfectly sized, straight line formation that looked like a mirror as it stretched out toward the horizon. I miss the sight of troops marching in the early morning mist, the sound of boot heels thumping in unison on the tarmac, the bark of the NCOs and the sing-song answers from the squads as they pass by. I miss the salutes we'd exchange in greeting and respect. I miss the smell of diesel fuel hanging heavily on the morning air with the fading sound of howitzers roaring down the tank trails and disappearing behind the ever present cloud of red dust. Could any of us ever forget the hurry-up-and-wait situations that soldiers griped about constantly. In fact, those times bonded us more than we'll ever know or admit. I miss people taking off their hats when they enter a building, answering questions honestly, directly, and clearly and never showing disrespect for rank, race, religion, or gender. Rest easy my friends as today's soldier has the same knowledge, experiences, and skills.

To romanticize military service is to be far removed from its reality, because we all know it's very serious business -- especially in these times of war. In summary, I miss being a small cog in this amazing Army "machine;" so complex it extends around the Earth and so simple it provides timely meals for all soldiers, three times a day, whether they are in garrison, in the field, in the air or at sea.

We were honored to serve our country for only a limited number of years. Today a new and dynamic generation of soldiers is carrying on the duties and traditions we assumed from previous generations. Mostly, I don't know anyone who regrets having served their country, and doesn't feel a sense of pride when they pass through the Post security check points and re-enter this amazing world we left behind. Face it folks - we all miss it to some degree............Whether you had one tour or a career, it helped to shape who you are today. It's been more than 46 years since my cohort initially departed Ft Sill heading to every corner of this world and I wish each of you could be back here for our 2012 Reunion!