"Last night, I learned a big lesson about patriotism, compassion for your fellow man, and respect.....from an 8 year old little boy at McDonalds in Shamrock, Texas.
Amongst french fries and chicken nuggets, in walks a man and his wife. The man was wearing a Vietnam Veteran cap that was adorned with several pins. I don't know that anyone noticed him when he walked in, nor did they notice his cap; but the eight year old little boy did. Even after he had asked his mom several times (three to be exact) if he could "go shake that guy's hand and tell him thank you for his service", she said no, for fear of disturbing his supper.
But on the fourth plea, mom gave in; and the little boy marches right over to the gentleman and says, "sir, thank you for your service" and shakes his hand. The gentleman pauses, and with a cracking voice says, "young man, you are very welcome and thank YOU for noticing....you just made my day, maybe my whole week!" Everyone went back to their meal and before the boy left, the gentleman walked over and said, "son, I would like for you to have this." It was his 1st Calvary pin that he wore on his cap. The little guy says thank you and quickly takes his cap off and let's his uncle attach the pin to his cap and runs to show his mom and aunt what the veteran had given him.
I don't know who was more overcome with emotion, the veteran, for someone noticing all that he had fought for; the little boy, for meeting "a real-life hero" or those that observed this interaction. All in all, it reminded me that no matter the place, no matter the time nor situation, honoring our soldiers past and present, and their unselfish sacrifice is paramount. So here's to all those that stepped up and shouldered the responsibility of protecting our country, there are no words big enough to say thank you."
Author Unknown, but appreciated.
Yes! Thank you very much for your service;
ReplyDeleteunfortunately we get a lot of that (said with a sneer) from the guys who ran up to Canada.
but there were a great many of us who enlisted/volunteered, saw active, and put in "volunteer" statements only to get stuck away in (very far) out of the way places nowhere near the front lines.
we "did our bit" and then went home to resume our civilian lives without any recognition: I agree: we didn't "put our lives on the line", we just "did our bit".
we didn't do anything special (though if asked, we would've); we just supported our country when asked/required.
We felt there was no need for a "thank you" nor did we want any
boron, the "thank you" weeds out the ones you fought for.
DeleteThat is a great story!
ReplyDeleteI will say,if fiction though well done would be very irked to say the least.
As for folks who served behind the point of the spear,without you there is no long term point of a spear,so,at least take thanks from those who were at the front like members of my family and friends make a point of always mentioning.
James, I take the thanks, but they are needed. I do think it makes all of us (thanking and thanked) feel a little better.
DeleteI've made a habit of always thanking vets. I've only received on negative reaction, from a Vietnam vet who desperately needed to vent. He was one that had been spat on, called baby killer, etc. He needed to be thanked, and listened to, more than any of the others I've talked to.
ReplyDeleteAnon, thank you for helping him out.
DeleteI am a Vietnam Veteran and I've never been comfortable when someone thanks me for my service, I was drafted. Didn't really care that much for the attention but one day someone thanked me. I don't know where it came from but I answered
ReplyDelete"Thank you for being the kind of American worth fighting for"
The Feral Vetran, Vietnam Vet here also and that's the way I answer as well.
DeleteI was drafted too. I made a conscious choice of two years versus three or four. You served your country ... hold your head up.
The Cav was an elite unit. Must have taken a lot to give it to that little boy. I'm sure he knew it would mean as much to the boy.
ReplyDeleteedutcher, they both made each other very happy.
DeleteLots of dust in the air...
ReplyDeleteI retired Air Guard and I have 3 Expeditionary Air medals. I was in the rear with the commo gear. I did my job which was to keep a satellite link up that transmitted moral calls from the tactical telephone switch for the hero's who went outside the wire. In the military the only rounds I fired were on a range.
Tsquared, if you remember, we went where they sent us.
DeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteYou all be safe and God bless.
LindaG, Amen.
DeleteThese days, I thank my fellow veterans for not getting killed in a "for profit, Imperialist, Satanic war". Sometimes, I meet a new "brother". Never had any negative reactions. We all know the score (agenda).
ReplyDeleteTree Mike: Stay out of Colorado Springs in order to keep your negative reactions to a minimum. We have over 100,000 US military veterans resident and your "Satanic war" BS will most likely be a personal affront to most of us.
DeleteTree Mike, I thank my bothers and sisters and I let the other go.
DeleteWas my reply to Tree Mike too "caustic"???????????????????
DeleteJohn, just a bit. I, sometimes walk a tightrope with this blog, and I don't want to pick sides. That place worked on a lot of guy's minds. I've seen it. I'm one of the lucky ones coming back with mind and body in tack. Others not so lucky. Would you like me to post your comment?
DeleteAs a US Marine Vietnam tank commander veteran, this is a very lovely story. I copied and pasted it to publish it in our association's quarterly magazine.
ReplyDeleteJohn, you honor the author. Tanks huh ... WHOA!
Delete<--- Navy Vet 1965-1969. Wear a Navy veteran cap (when I'm not wearing a Trump 2020 cap) almost every day. Every time I see a man with a Veteran cap on I go over and say, "Welcome home!". I have never had someone come up to me and say the same thing.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Home hjets! And the rest of you mugs too!
DeleteThank you, it was my honor.
Delete