I Said Thank You Without Crying

[EllenMarie]

As I rode home from DC to Maryland on the Metro train, there he sat. Dressed in fatigues, high laced boots, close hair cut. One of them. One of the heros described in Oliver North's and Karl Zinsmeister's books. Or of the prints I've made from Diogenesis's posts. 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..." Of all the responses I would have expected a soft and humble "Thank you... thank you... thank you" was not one of them. As he turned to exit the metro car, I finished up with "Y'all did an outstanding job".

Well, I did it. Yes I did. I said thank you without crying. No tears. None.

At least none while we had eye contact.

[TruthNtegrity]

Thank Mike for me the next time you talk with him, ok?

I can't imagine what it's like to have a hubby gone for as long as you have and now have to deal with his being extended.

I promise, as others have, to try to help you through this, even though we are far away from you.

God bless

Truthy

[Molly Pitcher]

You did well! Totally understand about not wanting to cry! Welcome to FR, with a great First Post.

[JulieRNR21]

So glad you created this thread.......it reminds us all that we need to express our heartfelt thanks to every man and woman who serves in our military!

[Neets]

Thanks for the post EM!!

Thanks for the ping MP!

[blackie]

Good stuff ~ thanks!

Support our troops ~ Bump!

[LiteKeeper]

SPOTREP - from all of us who are VN vets, thanks for doing for this young soldier what your counterparts did not do for us.

LiteKeeper
US Army, retired

[MEG33]

I hope you've read all the belated thank yous.God bless you for serving our country and Welcome Home!

[I'm ALL Right!]

Good for you and great for that soldier! Thank you for saying that on all of our behalves.

We moved into a house next to a WWII vet in August. When Veteran's Day came, we made him some Red, White, and Blue (sprinkled) cookies and took them over to him. My 8 yr old son said "Thank you for serving your country."

Well, the man was astonished that anyone would be honoring him. That's a travesty. We need to be sure to honor and thank ALL those who have served--even those who served a long, long time ago. God Bless America.

[Ben Bolt]

And someone told you when you were a child that you were shy -)

[M0sby]

I am so sorry he keeps getting extended. I am glad he was able to come home for a visit, but that hardly makes up for the extended time.
We are waiting news on Dan's next deployment.
Don't know when, but it will likely not be "if".

You're in my thoughts..and a BIG thank you to MIKE!

[JLO]

I agree - we can't thank our military enough for what they do.

And what our past soldiers have done, either. It's never too late to say thanks to them for their service.

[RightWingMama]

I was wondering why you wanted to speak to Mr. Rumsfield. (post 53). Now I know. Sorry about the delay. I really enjoyed your posts when he came home on leave. (Mike and I share the same birthday, although not the same year. I'm older)

[LiteKeeper]

I have to concur. It actually surprises me sometimes when people say "Thank You" or "Welcome Home." I get chills when that is said. We do it to serve our country; we do it because we love our country - and we love freedom. We know that "Freedom is not Free." - And we just want to do our part, giving back something of what we have received from others.

I come from a long line of military officers - 32 - going all the way back to Mary, Queen of Scotland. It is a fine tradition - would that more would understand.

LiteKeeper
US Army, retired

[mystery-ak]

I should really change my tag...I love Rummy, but 4 extensions is enough...you'd think that there are more Chinook Co's other than Mike's....

[auboy]

May May be here before we know it. That's May, Rummy.

How's your pack of Pugs doing?

[TEXOKIE]

Thanks for the ping, TNT. What a great reminder that it only takes just such a small effort to give that simple 'thank you' which can mean the world to the hero who gets thanked. God bless all our troops and veterans.

[auboy]

Bless you, EllenMarie. And Welcome To Free Republic!

[mystery-ak]

The pack is laying on the floor in a pile...LOL

[auboy]

So tonight it's a pile of pugs? Three dog night.:-)

[mystery-ak]

They move in packs, sleep in piles...when you get another one, you'll know what I mean...LOL