...and so started our third annual Special Forces Association Chapter XXXIII Christmas Party at the American Legion in beautiful uptown Cleveland, Tennessee.
      According to the official alert order that was published by Art McRae and approved by our new president, Jim Hash, the official start of the party was 1300 hours, 17 December. However, like so many elderly gentlemen in the Cleveland, Knoxville and Chattanooga area, they apparently never received the Official Alert Order and I was told by the young ladies who served up the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future, there was a long line queued up from the door extending all the way back to the parking lot, waiting for the doors to open at 1100 hours.
      I don't really know how true that story is because I cannot find anyone who will confirm what the young ladies (who served up the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future) said. I asked our esteemed Barrister, Bert Bates, if any of the conversation would hold up in a court of law and all he would say, between gulps of rum and coke, was "Hear-say! Hear-say!"
      The Chapter party couldn't really begin until Wayne Naihe brought in the goodies from Patak's Meat Market. It was pure luck that he pushed his way through the door a few moments before the official crossing of the IP at 1300 hours. He spread the wurst, ham, cheeses, breads and Leber Käse on the table and jumped back, knowing the on-rush of troops could get someone seriously injured.

      I don't know if it was set up this way by Jim Hash or not, but about an hour into the party, Tom Rowland, Mayor of Cleveland, Tennessee, joined the party. He said he couldn't stay long, that he had another get-together he had to attend but he did manage to spend about forty-five minutes with us. He gave each member present a pin that depicted the Great Seal of the City of Cleveland, Tennessee. He also spoke about how the City of Cleveland appreciated the job the military was doing in Iraq and Afghanistan and how they were keeping America safe. He mentioned he was honored to be a part of this Chapter Christmas gathering. Jim Hash presented the Mayor with the official Chapter's headgear and everyone gathered for a group photo. Mayor Rowland didn't partake of any of the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present or Future, but he did munch on some of the wurst and cheeses that were spread out on the table.
      By 1600 hours most everyone had departed the Legion for points unknown. Only three people were left to close the bar: Ken Stickney, Art McRae and, yours truly, the web guy. Of course we had the forethought to book rooms at the Inn a few days before. By 1800 we too, finally departed the American Legion and headed back to the Inn.
       Another fantastic Chapter XXXIII Christmas Party came to a close