Since the founding of our nation, 41 million of our countrymen and women, fellow citizens and non-citizens alike, have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.  Whether volunteer or conscripted, they each answered the call to deliver security to America and our allies, however and wherever it might be threatened.  In doing so, those men and women who served earned the honored title of Veteran.  And thankfully, today we are prone to thank Veterans and active-duty servicemen and women when we encounter them.  Rich Carey, whom I’ve known for nearly six decades, and his co-author Glen Snow have added to that recognition with the recipes in the pages that follow.  By highlighting the variety of culinary favorites that Rich and Glen have assembled from Veterans, they have added to the tapestry of our collective appreciation of those whose military service and sacrifice has protected us and protects us today.  Add to that the author’s commitment to donate a portion of their book proceeds to certified Veterans charitable organizations, then it’s not a stretch to conclude that their efforts are most worthy.  I sincerely hope you enjoy Veteran Vittles, and whether your kitchen skills are rudimentary or well refined, please know that you do honor to the Veterans among us when you open this cookbook and go to work in your kitchen.

                                      Richard V. “Dick” Reynolds

                                      Lieutenant General, USAF (retired)