Only when i had finished a good draft of most of these stories did i realize the characters were often seen eating--eating and talking. i realized then that this was no accident, as most of these characters are aging veterans who look for places to voice their thoughts. and throughout all ages and in all cultures, sharing a meal allows us to put into words what we have experienced. when wine is added, of course, tongues are even looser. in these pages, then, sometimes older vets eat with younger ones; on other occasions they share a table with civilians; a few times they are a group by themselves. their mealtime companions can be family, friends, acquaintances, even relative strangers; but inevitably in the course of conversation some aspect of their military experience surfaces. many times what is revealed has been long concealed, though only in a few cases could such moments be classified as what is termed in one story "the f-word," a flashback to a traumatic event. still, when finally in the open, the remembered experience puts into perspective the lives and values of all who are present. so, this volume of stories is an event to which i invite readers of all kinds. partake of those tales that appeal to you. put aside any that don't suit your tastes. my hope is a few will inspire memory, thought, and a desire to respond in word or deed. in an era when only a small percentage of citizens choose to serve in the military, the stories of those who do deserve at least the attention of the rest of us.