Mixed Emotions

Ten to midnight and as I sit amongst the detritus of what was a celebratory dinner I am moved by being amongst my comrades.
I've met guys I haven't seen for forty years yet it's as though it was yesterday.
Seventy years since D Day, thirty two years since the Falklands, and a new Naval Service Memorial, all have been celebrated and remembered today.
Amid all the pomp and ceremony it's the veterans with their humour and dignity that move me and although the ceremony took place outside I found the atmosphere to be 'smokey'!
Tonight I dined with complete strangers but within minutes we were laughing and joking together, mate lots together. Those without service will not understand the bond that ties us.
Anyway I am about to down my sixth tot of rum with my shipmates - any further writing is likely to be unintelligible.