Here's to good friends ....

This is me with Jessika, one of my print team soldiers in the 139th MPAD during our Iraq tour in 2004-05. She was responsible for the layout of some amazing newsletters and magazines, and she still does a lot of great artistic stuff these days in Chicago. As you can tell, I'm proud of her just like she was my own daughter!


And this is her boyfriend Justin, who also served with us in Iraq as part of the broadcast team. He's also a very talented young man and I'm proud to call him an honorary son as well as a great friend.


Here's Jess with her cute little sis Jeni, who came up all the way from Springfield to party with family and friends for the weekend.


The lovely lady on the left is Justin's mom, Rachel. She is the one who started this brewfest trip tradition six years ago, and the group has been getting bigger every year.


She and her friends have it down to an art now, including renting the park shelter and organizing a big potluck for the after party!