I was by myself in a little restaurant, and at the next table were four large black men who were all wearing black and openly armed. One had a T-shirt that said “ICE” so I assumed they were coworkers.
I walked right up to them, and said “Thank You. I know you have a VERY difficult job, but Americans appreciate what you do”.
They looked at me in amazement, then they smiled and said “Thank You.”
Perfect!