"It was the high point of the Colonel's efforts. A brand new center, with a staff of counselors, therapy rooms, a fully equipped gym, it even had a daycare center. And all services were free. He cut the ribbon while Charlie and I played, then toured the building and attended a reception. The center was built on the banks of a river, and there was a really large deck built out over it. Most of the attendees ended up there, by the buffet tables."

"We were relaxed yet vigilant, and most of the crowd were veterans and college students, part of the new staff, all vetted, so we didn't see...