Signing and learning

Two book signings for "Home of the Infantry" made impressions on me.

At Barnes & Noble in Columbus, the table was shared with Ralph Puckett, an Army Ranger who has never really retired. He's considered an honorary colonel of the unit. As we were signing the Fort Benning book, young soldiers lined up to meet Puckett. One of them was studying for a test and he showed Puckett one of the questions. The answer to it was "Ralph Puckett." The soldier said he'd be sure to get that one right. To most of the young men, Puckett said "I'll be at your graduation on Dec. 20. See to it that you are there." It was as if these soldiers were his sons and they were family.

At a book club in Auburn on Monday, the hostess included three selections by a retired professor of piano at Auburn University. As she welcomed the guests and introduced the musician, she said music was appropriate to include at a book signing. Art, music and literature, she said, leads to peace.

Thanks to everyone who came and everyone who bought.