I've always enjoyed having officers in thier uniforms in the Hemingway bar. It adds to that very special atmosphere and makes the whole experience memorable to our visitors, not only so, but the regulars never tire of these magical moments.
Well this time I'm off for the William J. Donovan award dinner at the Ritz Carlton in Washington. This is a truly Military occasion, if ever there was one. A Martini to make, but out of the same Mixing Glass that Hemingway himself was served all those years ago from my personal collection. This mixing glass has never been shown and was given to me by Bertin, Hemingways Bartender in 1995. Bertin was 96 at the time, I believe.
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So I've finished that évent. An amazing expérience. To talk to 800 guests is both scary and exciting. The adrenalin, the energy coming from the first laugh. Mr Leon Panetta, launching his "polémique" book. The enjoyement of working a 15 minute speech followed by a 5 minute toast over 800 people, no more no less. What an amazing opportunity. God bless the OSS. That rimes so it must be true!