I enjoyed your post. God bless you for making a difference in these kids lives. More than you know, no doubt!
I remember my Government teacher when I was a senior in high school (1992). He was a major influence in my love of politics and country, and he never knew it. I remember being in his class and to start out, I couldn’t tell you the difference between the conservative and liberal position on abortion. And I remember him asking us if laws were based on morality or what were laws based on. He was always trying to get us to think. He opened my eyes to how the world and our government worked.
“He was a major influence in my love of politics and country, and he never knew it.”
If that teacher is still alive, a visit to him at school (if he’s still teaching) or a letter this many years later would be the ‘bonus’ ex-soldier spoke about in his post. Even if he is no longer alive and/or teaching, his family might appreciate knowing how he touched your life.