Greece Brotherhood 40th Reunion

Greece Brotherhood 40th Reunion: Travel, Reflection and Memories

I traveled to northern Greece to reunite with my army platoon brothers for our 40-year anniversary. We spent eight days together, traversing the rugged mountains, wandering through picturesque villages, and visiting ancient monasteries. As the trip approached, I felt a mixture of anticipation and curiosity—how would time have shaped us? What remained of the camaraderie forged in youth, under the weight of discipline, endurance, and shared purpose?

What I found was something rare and deeply meaningful: a bond untouched by the years. The kind of connection that survives not just distance but the transformations of life itself. It was an affirmation of the enduring power of shared experiences, a feeling of belonging that is often elusive. In those moments, laughter replaced the weight of time, and old stories took on new life, echoing against the mountain ridges.

Explore a recollection of Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Hazing.

A Reflection on the Journey to Masada

The first two images in this collection were taken forty years ago. They capture a defining moment—when the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, marking the final stretch of an exhausting 50-mile (80 km) fast march, carrying full gear. At the summit of Mount Masada, we earned our red-crimson berets, the mark of the Israeli Army Paratroopers, the elite ground forces.

Masada, a desert fortress that witnessed a defiant last stand nearly 2,000 years ago, has become a symbol of resistance and resilience. Standing there, having endured the grueling march, we felt an unspoken connection to those who had once chosen courage over surrender. Few experiences in life fill me with as much pride as having served as an Army Paratrooper.

Discovering the Soul of Evritania and Ioannina

“Don’t tell me how educated you are. Tell me how much you have traveled.” – Mohammed

A trip to Greece feels, in some ways, like a homecoming. Ancient Greece’s mythology, philosophy, and spirit have shaped the consciousness of the Western world. As we navigated the backroads in a caravan of jeeps, I was struck by the raw beauty of the land. Evritania, Epirus, Zagoria, and Pelion—each region held its own character, wild yet welcoming.

The villages, nestled like secrets in the mountains, had a modest beauty, where life moved to a rhythm dictated by nature and tradition. In the local taverns, we savored meals that were an extension of the land itself—fresh goat cheese bathed in olive oil, crisp vegetable salads, hot, freshly baked bread, and an abundance of fish, all accompanied by Ouzo, Tsipouro, and the warmth of Greek hospitality.

There was something profoundly grounding about those moments—watching the sunlight dance over the rivers, feeling the mountain air fill my lungs, and tasting the authenticity of a culture rooted in simplicity and connection.

The Timeless Spirit of Meteora

“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.” – David Mitchell

Meteora rises out of the Greek landscape like a vision from another era. Rested atop towering rock pillars, the monasteries seem suspended between earth and sky. Built in the 14th and 15th centuries, these monastic sanctuaries were crafted by those seeking solitude, spiritual clarity, and refuge from the chaos below.

Walking through the halls of these ancient monasteries, I felt the weight of time settles around me. The frescoes, the incense-scented air, the silent prayers embedded in stone—this was a place of devotion, not just to faith but to a way of life that has nearly vanished. It was humbling to witness a world where contemplation and patience still held value.

Aerial view of Meteora.

The Real Journey

In the end, the landscapes, the history, and the food were just the setting. The heart of this journey was the people. My platoon brothers, now softened by age but no less resilient, revealed parts of themselves that had remained hidden in the intensity of our youth. We were no longer just soldiers but fathers, husbands, and men who had navigated decades of life. There was kindness in how we spoke to each other, generosity in how we shared our stories, and wisdom in the silences we allowed.

The reunion was not just about remembering the past; it was about rediscovering who we had become. And in that rediscovery, I found something profoundly beautiful—a reminder that bonds built-in fire do not burn away. They endure, shaping us, grounding us, and calling us home, no matter how far we wander.

This trip will remain etched in my memory, not just for the places we visited but for the deeper journey of reconnection it inspired. I am grateful for it and for my brothers.

May 2018