Thanks to the S-3 (Terry Rice) and HHC company commander (Lee Gazzano) who both were fluent in the French language, we were treated to some of the best food and drink I have even had. Bottle after bottle of excellent wine was delivered to our large table of celebrants. Not to worry, our wives drank little if any, so they drove us all home afterwards. Full we were, and quite "joyful". But not so full and not so joyful that we could not continue the celebration when we got back home to Karlsruhe. Our quarters (being the largest of the group) was selected as the "party place" for the remainder of the night, and party we did.
I will never forget that New Year's Eve...nor the people we were so fortunate to serve alongside that year (and others). By the way, Terry Rice retired as an engineer colonel and Lee Gazzano as a Lieutenant Colonel. I'm not sure whether or not being able to speak French so well had any effect on their rise through the engineer ranks, but it sure as heck made our trip to France that night "real special".
