2130John C sent this SOTM in. He describes his location as "Oklahoma, but head'in back to TX". He says of his photo: "One of the best friends that I ever had taught me one of my life's greatest lessons. He always said that 'life's a bitch and then you die'.

"For him, he was correct. He contracted AIDS a few short years after his discharge from the army. He became very ill and passed away. They knew very little about that particular disease in those days. I'll never forget the look in his eyes as I left his hospital room for the last time.

"It seemed as though we had communicated so much to one another in those few brief seconds. Mostly though, we said goodbye to each other.

"My wife and I remember him with great fondness. We could all have been great friends for the entirety of our lives. Now I can't help but think of him when I hear someone speak the words that I try never to say, 'life's a bitch and then you die.'"