Last week, we were down in Atlanta for our RAJA meeting.  As I have mentioned before, RAJA is the Retired Army Judge Advocate’s Association.  We get together each year and tell each other how we saved the free world.  The stories continue to get more outrageous.

Also, Major General Scott Black, The Judge Advocate General, came down and gave us a sobering view of the challenges facing the Army and the JAG Corps.  After listening to Scott, it became apparent that he won’t be able to explain how he saved the free world until he has been retired and a member of RAJA for at least ten years.

One of the hosting couples was Rob and Bridgette Minor.  He worked for me at Fort Riley when he was a captain.  It would be a better story had he been a major.  Then, he would have been Major Minor (as distinguished from Major Major in Catch 22).  Anyway, we hadn’t seen the Minors in over twenty years.  That’s what RAJA is all about.  We expect to see them next year in New Orleans.

On my free afternoon, I decided to visit the World of Coke.  I was advised that there were other things that were more culturally rewarding.  I never wavered.  I am a confirmed Coke drinker (but I would never drink one before Noon – that would be sick).  I thrive on sugary syrup and carbonated water.

When Coach Frank Broyles came to the University of Missouri to coach football (he had previously been the backfield coach at Georgia Tech), he gathered the team together on the first day.  He said, “Boys, I am a firm believer in Coke Cola and after every practice there will be an ice cold Coke Cola waiting for you.”  Talk about a pep talk.  He had me!

When Coke announced back in 85′ that they were changing the formula, I went into a 79 day funk.  Then, when Coke announced they were keeping the old Coke and calling it Coke Classic, I felt reborn.  This little historic vignette is tastefully presented at the World of Coke (that was culturally rewarding).

There was a long line to get in.  I felt I was back at Disney World.  When I got up to the front of the line, I saw the metal detectors.  What has this world come to?  Are they afraid terrorists will try to hijack the World of Coke?  I thought Coke’s definition of a terrorist was some one who worked for Pepsi.  They gave me a claims number for the small pocket knife I had in my pocket.

To sum the event up, I decided not to have my picture taken with the Coke polar bear; I enjoyed the 3-D movie; and, I made myself sick sampling all the different Coke drinks from around the world.  Inca Cola should only be drunk in Peru if you are about to die of thirst.  Beverly is something everyone should sample so they can appreciate whatever else they are drinking.  My biggest fear was that I would be stuck to the sticky floor in the tasting room and never get out.

I did get out with my free eight-ounce Coke in the glass bottle.  I brought it home, chilled it, and drank it the other night.  It brought back fond memories of the nickel Cokes we had in college.

Now that I have visited the World of Coke, I don’t feel the need to go back.  I will have my own little tribute to Coke each night when I pop the top.  RAJA, however, requires a trip every year to ensure that the free world is still safe.