I was prompted to join this site by one of only two best friends in the world. My former platoon Sgt Curtis  Masten. So it is only appropriate that my first story is about how Curt and I met.

     In the early 90's I was stationed at Ft Carson, CO with Alpha Co, 4th Engr Bn. This day happened to be our battalions "Families " day, held at a local park in Colorado Springs. Following morning formation our company got in their vehicles and headed of to the gathering. Some one realised that the company guidon had been forgotten and had sent Smithy back to collect it and bring it along. The only problem was that Smithy was without any transportation. By the time he got back to the parking lot everyone had left with one exception, me. Only I was not driving a car but my motorcycle. Luckily I had a spare helmet and the two of us sped off breaking speed limits in an effort to get to the park before the battalion formation began. Well we made it with seconds to spare and everything went on as if nothing untowards had happened, though Smithy was looking a little green about the gills. It was his first ever ride on a motorcycle, and I suspect his last. I had kept my speed under the 100mph mark ( but not much) as I didn't want to scare my passenger.

     Well the days activities got going and everything in my world was looking rosey until I heard a voice from behind me " Hey Sgt Rigby, come over here I have someone for you to meet". It was my then platoon Sgt "Bones" Waring. Now you may wonder why we called him "Bones"? Well it was because when he took his shirt off the local orchestra could have used him as a xylaphone, honestly he was that skinny and about 6' 3" tall. Anyway I ambled over and "Bones" was stood there with a big, mean looking biker type dressed in leather and stood with what looked like a ratty black Harley. "Bones" said " I want to introduce you to your new platoon Sgt. This is SFC Masten nickname of "Bruno. "Bruno" stuck out his hand to shake and afterwards I was wondering how many of my fingers were broken. I was thinking that my life was over, in fact my first thought was "I'm dead". You see I was also the company prankster and I could not see this Bruno being very happy with my antics. He could have picked me up and snapped me in half just for sheer enjoyment by the looks of him.

     As it happened "Bruno" turned out to be nothing like the impression he gave me. On top of all that he had as much a penchant for pranks as myself. Over the next few years we got up to all sort of tricks and were very rarely out of each others company. I thank providence for bringing the two of us together. We are still friends and keep in touch even though he lives in Colorado and myself in California. I love him like a brother and consider it truly fortunate to know him. I love ya Bro but, you have no idea of the can of worms you opened when you steered me to this site.