and my role now is to efficiently get you to our friend, the incomparable bud robertson. who is obviously the main attraction this evening. as i middle here, i hope i can keep your attention for a few moments and i promise on like a comedy show, there will be no then took with him -- there will or jokestriloquism about airline food. when superintendent dave called and asked me to say a few words which marks a century and a half of the battle of cold harbor, i asked him, why me? my war took place 70 years ago, not 150. dave said something kind about my adding to the event and i appreciated that. but between us, he is my sometimes doubles tennis player and it isn't his best interest -- is in his interest to keep my ego stroked. i do appreciate him bringing me here. i will admit when i was thinking about this in evening it cost me a few sleepless nights. so i am glad, dave, you had sleepless nights, and i did two. -- too. after all, what can i add that bud or earlier this week, gordon or other experts have not already said about the battle itself? this is not in my era. my a