For Harry Morgan

I have not always watched M*A*S*H—in fact, it’s probably safe to say that had I not married Scott, I would never have watched M*A*S*H.  But as it often happens in marriage, you pick up each other’s habits and interests.  This extends even to entertainment—my husband watched “Pride & Prejudice” and “13 Going on 30” at my request.  And so, it was only a matter of time until I would have to watch M*A*S*H.  Not just one episode, but all 11 seasons that my husband proudly owned.

The journey began simply enough with Season One…and probably would have ended there.  I was easily annoyed by Hawkeye’s over-humor, and didn’t enjoy the storylines.  Luckily, my husband knew the show well enough to know what would hook me.  He skipped to Season Four where Colonel Potter enters.  Something about that fierce little actor tagged me, and I was hooked.  Anyone who loves M*A*S*H has their favorite characters—usually it is Radar, Hawkeye, or Klinger.  But for me—it was Colonel Potter.  He referred to his wife as “mother”, looked after everyone on the base as if they were family, and was sensible.  And of course, he was funny. 

I watched M*A*S*H during the sleepless nights with both girls – something about the drab color scheme of the show was soothing to them.  And I always watch it with subtitles, so that I don’t have to have two kids awake in the middle of the night!  Because of this, I actually get rather annoyed when Scott has M*A*S*H on with sound - I’m  simply too used to the silent version.  But even with the sound off, Colonel Potter still makes me laugh with his dry wit. 

To my favorite Colonel in the U.S. Army, Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.