A Reunion of Old Friends
On the evening of December 31, 2025, the doorbell at Alan Alda’s New York home rang. Despite his 89 years, Alan moved slowly, leaning on his cane, as he made his way to the door. Standing before him was Jamie Farr, now 91, his eyes still sparkling with the familiar mischievous glint of the character Klinger that millions had adored for years.
“ALAN!” Jamie shouted, his arms open wide. “Happy New Year!”
Alan laughed, and they embraced, the years melting away in a warm, heartfelt hug.
“Jamie, you’re on time, like always,” Alan said, his voice thick with emotion.
Jamie entered the house, careful with his movements but carrying with him the same vibrant spirit that had made Klinger such an unforgettable character. His wit and energy filled the room as if they were back on the MAS*H set, only now, the set was replaced by Alan’s living room.
“Hey, when you’re 91,” Jamie joked, “every minute counts. I’m not wasting one on anyone but you.”
Alan smiled, lifting his trembling hand. “My hands shake,” he said softly, “but my heart doesn’t. Not tonight.”
I want an harmonica #ClassicMASH #mash #mash4077
Old Soldiers, Still Together
By 6:15 PM, two cars pulled up outside Alan’s house. Out stepped Mike Farrell and Gary Burghoff. The moment they saw each other, they called out their names and hugged warmly, a reunion that had been decades in the making.
“GARY!” Mike exclaimed. “MIKE!” Gary shouted back.
They met halfway up the walk and shared an emotional hug in the cold New York air. With all the years between them, the bond they had shared for so long was still as strong as ever.
Inside the door, Alan and Jamie waited for the final two members of their family. And then, for the first time in many years, all four of them were together once again:
Alan Alda – 89 years old
Mike Farrell – 86 years old
Jamie Farr – 91 years old
Gary Burghoff – 81 years old
Gary did a quick mental calculation, shook his head, and grinned. “Three hundred forty-seven years,” he said. “Total mileage.”
Jamie threw his arms up triumphantly. “And we’re STILL here!”
“Still standing,” Mike added.
“Still loving,” Alan finished.
The four men embraced, and for a few moments, time stood still. This wasn’t just a gathering of old friends. It was a reunion of family. A family that had weathered the storms of fame, personal struggles, illness, and time together.
The Simple Joy of Being Together
Dinner was simple but full of meaning. Jamie had brought Lebanese kibbeh, a dish his mother used to make in Toledo. Arlene, Alan’s wife, had prepared a salad and warm bread. The table was set for ten, but only four chairs were filled. Six plates remained empty — a silent tribute to the ones who had passed on.
Mike stood up first, holding his glass of wine. He glanced at the three men who had been his brothers through thick and thin for over half a century.
“New Year’s Eve, 2025,” Mike said. “Four of us still here.”
His voice softened as he reflected on the past. “Fifty-three years ago, we met on a show we didn’t really understand yet. We were just kids. We didn’t know what MAS*H would become… or what we would become to each other.”
He looked at Alan, Jamie, and Gary. “Now we’re old,” he said, smiling gently. “And somehow… we’re still here.”
Mike’s voice broke as he pointed to the empty plates. “Six of us have gone ahead,” he said quietly. “Loretta. Harry. Wayne. McLean. Bill. David.”
But they were still with them. On this table. In this room. In their hearts.
Mike touched his chest. “We’re still here,” he said, raising his glass. “To those still here,” he said softly. “To MAS*H. To family. To love.”
Four glasses clinked. Tears fell, but the smiles never wavered.
M*A*S*H” Souvenirs (TV Episode 1977) – Alan Alda as Capt …
A Final Scene Replayed
At 11:30 PM, they moved to the living room. Blankets were draped over their knees. Their hands were shaky, their bodies slower than before. But their hearts? Full. So full.
“Let’s do it,” Gary said. “One more time.”
Alan grabbed the remote and turned on the television. The opening credits of MAS*H rolled across the screen:
“Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.” February 28, 1983.
There they were again — young, fast, and sharp. Hawkeye and B.J. at the 4077th. Klinger in something ridiculous. Radar’s soft eyes. Margaret fierce and heartbroken. Colonel Potter steady. Father Mulcahy kind.
“Look at us,” Gary whispered. “We were just kids playing dress-up. And somehow… it turned into people’s lives.”
They watched their younger selves say goodbye 42 years ago. Back then, they cried because the show was ending. But tonight, they cried because something never did.
The End of an Era, But Never the End of the Family
At 11:59 PM, the countdown to midnight began on the TV.
10… 9… 8…
Alan reached for the hands of his friends. “We’re still here,” he said, his voice cracking. “Forty-two years later. We’re still together. Still loving each other.”
7… 6… 5…
Jamie squeezed Alan’s hand tightly.
“Klinger made it, boys,” he said. “All the way to 91.”
4… 3… 2…
Mike laughed through his tears. “B.J. kept the promise,” he said. “He came back.”
1…
Gary took a deep breath and whispered, “Radar’s still on duty.” His voice was filled with love and gratitude. “For as long as they need him.”
And then, as the clock struck midnight, the city erupted in fireworks outside.
Four old men leaned in and hugged again, right there on the couch. No cameras. No scripts. No laugh track. Just four hearts that had been through fame, illness, grief, and time… and somehow still found their way back to each other.
Because as long as even a few of them can still make that last trip, still ring that doorbell, still shout:
“I’M STILL ALIVE!”
Then the 4077th isn’t just a show you watched.
It’s a family that never really said goodbye.
M*A*S*H” Souvenirs (TV Episode 1977) – Alan Alda as Capt. Benjamin Franklin ‘Hawkeye’ Pierce – IMDb
A Legacy of Friendship and Love
The story of the four men who made MAS*H a timeless classic is not just about a television show that captivated audiences for years. It’s about the powerful bonds of friendship that were formed on set and have lasted a lifetime. It’s about a family that was built from the ground up, forged in the fires of fame, personal loss, and triumph.
This reunion, the final New Year’s toast, is a reminder that family doesn’t just mean blood. It means the people who stand by you through thick and thin, no matter what. It’s about the love that never fades, the connection that never breaks, and the moments that continue to live on, even after the cameras stop rolling.
The Real Show of MAS*H: Friendship, Legacy, and Unwavering Love
As we reflect on their legacy, we realize that MAS*H was never just about war, comedy, or drama. It was about the relationships that transcended the screen. The show’s message, its humor, and its depth were built on the foundation of true friendship and a love that went beyond the script. It’s about how the characters, played by Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, Jamie Farr, and Gary Burghoff, became family to each other and to us — the audience.
It’s about how, no matter how much time passes, the connections we make with others — the people who stand by us, laugh with us, cry with us — will never fade. The family of MAS*H will live on forever in our hearts, reminding us that love, laughter, and loyalty are the things that matter most in life.
The Legacy of MAS*H Will Live On
As these four men gathered to celebrate one more New Year together, it wasn’t just a tribute to their time on MAS*H. It was a tribute to the enduring spirit of friendship, to the strength of a bond that time, illness, and the ups and downs of life could never break.
Their story is our story too — one of love, loss, and the bonds that keep us going, no matter how old we get.
So here’s to the ones who are still here, to the ones waiting for us, and to MAS*H. To family. To love. To friendship that never says goodbye.
M*A*S*H’: Where Are They Now? | Page 4 of 4 | DoYouRemember?
