A friend of mine recently returned from America. He had been sightseeing and bought a hat/cap from a decommissioned Aircraft carrier he visited. A couple of days later someone stopped him in the street and thanked him for his service then the lady serving him his breakfast then someone at the store he was visiting. Jim by now was quite bemused and asked the guy at the store why. The guy just pointed at his cap and thanked him again. At that point Jim took off the cap and put it in his luggage. It really got to Jim and to me and now we have taken it on board and do the same here in Aus. Gratitude and never forgetting any sort of good deed done seems to run in the blood of most Americans. Thankyou
I had a similar experience while wearing my father’s Navy cap. A few people thanked me for serving, but I never have (a big regret, btw). I don’t wear it any more... I don’t deserve the thanks, though I obviously appreciate where people who want to thank someone wearing a cap, jacket, etc. are coming from.
FWIW, my daughter is in JROTC and is very likely to join one or another of the services. I’m very proud of her, and just had to laugh when she was wearing her dress uniform when we stopped in Wallyworld on the way home, and some kind soul just couldn’t help but thank her profusely for serving. She was embarrassed, but naturally didn’t want to burst the guy’s bubble, so acted like he was right.
These incidents prove to me what kind of people live in this country...and THAT us what makes us great, not our buildings, wealth or geography (however great those may actually be). This article just reinforces my prior feelings.