I Said Thank You Without Crying

[John.Cooch]

thanks from=thanks from you; to=too

[Freedom2specul8]

I taught my kids to say thank you for serving our country prior to 911....namely because I want them to appreciate the sacrifices, the loss and especially you who have devoted your time to defending our freedom.

((((THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY))))

[breakem]

xlnt

[68skylark]

I have a related story. I've served for years in the state defense force here in Indiana -- our uniforms are nearly identical to the Army BDU's. Our people have been putting in months of active duty at Camp Atterbury to help troops get mobilized for overseas duty from all over the eastern half of the nation.

Many of the people in the unit are in their 50's and 60's and determined to keep serving -- it's an inspiration to be around these guys who could leave the work to younger men, but don't.

There's a Major in my unit who was on his way to duty and stopped at a fast food restaurant for a soda. A little kid came up to him and said something like "Mister, thankyou for your service."

He was blown away for days afterwards. He'd been in the Navy in the 60's and 70's (as a nuclear submarine officer) and he said he'd never had such an experience -- back in those days they were advised not to wear a uniform off post to avoid verbal abuse. It just bowled him over, and I heard him re-tell the story to several people.

A simple, "Thankyou for your service" (from Americans of any age) is very moving to those in uniform. Nothing more needs to be said. I'm so glad that some guys from the 60's and 70's now get to experience the current climate of goodwill to those in uniform. They don't serve to receive any thanks or recognition -- but when it happens, it means more than you know.

[pbear8]

Thank you for your lovely post and welcome to FR!!

[Blueflag]

I know what you mean. For some reason it's hard to say "Hi and thanks!" without gettgin choked up. I saw several last week in ATL and Philly while travelling. They seem to appreciate the thx.

[HighWheeler]

Great first post. Welcome to FR.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping

[elbucko]

...and would have given anything to have received a positive comment of any kind.

Amen to that!

[Capriole]

One of the most touching things I ever saw in my life is something that happened to my father, who won two Bronze Stars and a Silver Star in the Philippines.

Several years ago he was at a small legal proceding in the offices of a law firm, busily signing papers. In his eighties, he was a formal man, so he had worn a suit and had his tiny Silver Star decoration on his chest. Few people would have noticed it, much less recognized what it meant.

But one of the lawyers had been in the service, and he knew what that little star meant. Slowly he rose to his feet, drew himself to attention, and saluted a superior officer. He stood in front of all the other people in that office, all the other lawyers who thought this sort of thing was uncool, and held his salute.

My father was stunned, but in a moment he smiled and returned the salute. It meant the world to him to think that someone, if just one person, understood.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Okay, girl, pull it together--it's not a big thing. As we approached the final stop I walked up to him. "Soldier...Thank you for serving......"
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Great post, EllenMarie. Thank you, and welcome to Free Republic!

[Khurkris]

I think a few of us might remember being advised to hit the nearest airport bathroom and change to civies as fast as possible.

[MEG33]

Thank you for doing this.Welcome to FR,where we honor our military.

[zip]

You've been there. Thanks for YOUR service. zip

[sultan88]

Good Job, EllenMarie!

[MEG33]

Thank you for your service!

[MEG33]

Welcome Home.Thank you for serving our country!

[Tango Whiskey Papa]

Bravo Zulu!!!

[Britton J Wingfield]

Great! Thanks for making a GI feel welcome :)

And welcome to FR.

[SAMWolf]

Bump