Welcome Coachcraig!
Thanks for your service in our armed forces.

I didn't know people actually still played D&D. I wish I had all my books don't know what happened to them (Legends & Lore, Monster Manual I&II, Fiend Folio, Player's Handbook). I could sit and read those books for hours. The amount of thought and creative thinking that went into those books is amazing. Legends and Lore is my favorite book of all. D&D really is the father/mother of all Role-Fantasy games. Maybe Tolkien was first and Gary Gygax and company brought it to life with books and dice.
I'm Glad you found us and I hope you enjoy the site!