Posted on 12/22/2005 7:06:32 AM PST by Millicent_Hornswaggle
KILLEEN, Texas Dec 22, 2005 — A real-estate developer carrying a sign that read "grateful citizen" passed out $5,000 in $20 bills Wednesday to members of the military and their families.
"I just want to say thank you for your service," Jim Johnson, of Dallas, told the recipients as he shook their hands in a Wal-Mart store in Killeen. "We're safe and secure because of you."
Johnson said in a story in Thursday's Killeen Daily Herald that he and his son Matt drove from Dallas with the hope of meeting as many soldiers as possible. He said Killeen, which is home to Fort Hood, seemed like an obvious choice for finding soldiers and their families.
Killeen is about 130 miles southwest of Dallas.
Johnson held a sign that read, "Grateful citizen. You make my life possible."
Store owners gave him permission to come inside to hand out the money after he had to vacate his post on a corner near the shopping center. He handed out the money in about three hours.
At one point, he shook the hand of a timid military wife, reached into his pocket and found he was out of money, the newspaper reported. His son gave his father the last $20 bill.
Johnson said he was just trying to show some gratitude.
"We all have ways to give back to these families that don't complain and serve," Johnson said. "It's a tough life, and I'm so grateful for what they do."
He promised to come back next year and bring some friends along.
One hell of a good man.
One hell of a good man. Or he's trying to score brownie points with Santa.
I was just about ready to post this same article only I saw it on newsmax.com - I am willing to bet he is a Republican, so thankful to the Army. God blesses all givers- may God bless him in 2006.
Wow, wish I had the disposable income to do something like that. I heard a woman on the radio yesterday, her 3 kids and her were out to dinner by themselves, their father was in Iraq, anyways, the patrons caught wind of their situation, someone else paid for their dinner, and the patrons thanked her and her children, and told them what a hero their dad was. Sounds like something we could all do.
A heartwarming and appropriate story...BUMP
Makes me proud to be a Texan.
WWHDHO?
(What Would Howard Dean Hand Out?)
Makes lots more sense than..... THE US Gov't helping Katrina affected ADULT porno establishments needing money to get their businesses going ahgain.
Someone's karma scale just got tilted in a positive direction.
We tried to give money to a killed soldier's family two Christmas's ago. They were not poor and would not accept it. The slain soldier was at the time the highest ranking killed in Iraq.
We gave to some care workers at an AIDs nursing home here about a week ago and haven't heard a peep of thanks yet.
I gave Christmas to my employeees and they were all great about it.
You just never know. Best not to get hung on appreciation though it is a nice dividend....best to just do what feels right to the giver.
It's people like this man who give us all hope for the present generation.
It was a mighty generous and decent gesture.
God bless him!
Semper Fi,
Kelly
I'll credit him with being sincere..but I find it a bit tacky..just handing out a $20 bill..those soldiers didn't do it for that..If he wanted to do something nice..he should have bought $5000 worth of $20 phone cards..and put then each in an envelope with a little thank you note..telling them that he appreciates their service, and he hopes they'll use it the next time they really need to talk to their loved ones.. I've cut back a lot on the silly gifts this season...and sent a big ger check to the USO..
I wish this guy had been around when some of us were transiting San Fransucksco back in '67.
He definitely made someone christmas very happy.
That is the most retarded statement about Military is a federal employee and can't accept gifts. Federal employees in power can't accept gifts from the public. But people have sent soldiers "care packages" since the beginnings of war itself. The military mail system delivers these gifts to soldiers.
Thank you for your support.
I know ALL the military men and women and their families appreciate everyone's support especially around Christmas.
Semper Fi,
Kelly
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.