On a bright and sparkling New Year’s Day, 2008, with the temperature hovering right around 40 degrees, a group gathered down at the Metz family farm, which is snuggled just above the the beautiful Delaware Water Gap. Nestled in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains Ranger District, Stockertown, Pennsylvania, our group of happy, slightly stooped, senior citizens gathered between 2:00 and 2:30 P.M.

These men are the legendary veterans of the “Battle of the Bulge” - Hitler Germany’s last- gap effort turn the tide of WWII - and were accompanied by their wives, and the widows of those who passed from their wounds. At precisely 2:50 P.M., Morris Metz, the president of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the VBOB, brought us all to attention and announced that it was time to fill our glasses for the salute.

I, of course, had steeped several cups of “Margaret’s Hope” to share with the “teatotalers” like myself. Again, at precisely 3P.M. our glasses were raised in a toast to “those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” “those of our comrades who have just recently passed,” and “to those of us who are left.”

This ceremony is carried out all across the country by VBOB men and women at the appointed time, adjusting for your particular time zone. Sitting in this room and listening to these humble men relate the horrors of war that they were subjected to brings both sorrow and joy to your heart, with a humbleness matching their own.

Many of these men that I know in this organization are living, highly decorated legends, who have been honored on the national scene. Their stories told on the history channel. Our organization, the Lehigh Valley WWII Roundtable, are digitally recording their history for the Library of Congress archives through the Veterans History Project.

My own defense of our great freedom started just a few years after theirs, and also surviving many a hairy experience in places around the world. They and I have a common bond, that only combat veterans share. So this toast was extra special to yours truly. It’s amazing where tea can take you.

‘Til next time.

[Photo credits: main post image by MrJoro at www.flickr.com; Morris Metz at www.battleofthebulge.org ]