Ascendant. Thanks so much. Thank you. Thanks for having me. Tonights program is a presentation of the guggenheimlehrman prize in military history, a 50,000 prize jointly administered by the Harry Frank Guggenheim foundation and the New York Historical society. It is thanks to the leadership of our great trustee, the lincoln and financial history scholar louis hillerman, that weve join with the Harry Frank Guggenheim foundation this year in trying to engage Greater Public discourse in wartime studies your i want to acknowledge mr. Lettermans vision of importance of understanding military history for all educated citizens and his work on have of our Great Institution and expanding intellectual endeavors. Thank you so much. [applause] i also want to note of encouragement and support of our extraordinary board share. In her philanthropic role, am has seen and understood vividly how the study of the steps to work, the conduct of military campaigns and diplomatic responses to work and play a