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.

[mike1sg]

Hi, dear. Are you making fun of my little buddies. Give them all a big kiss for me. Sending you one, too.

[Flora McDonald]

Thank you for the ping, sultan88! This is the kind of thread that keeps me FReepin.

EllenMarie: YOU GO GIRL! Welcome to Free Republic.

[mystery-ak]

sending what...a pug or a kiss?

[mike1sg]

A kiss, haven't seen any pugs over here.

[GatorGirl]

EllenMarie, what you did warms the hearts of military members and their families more than you can know. Thank you!

My husband was mobilized for two years with the Naval Reserve. Because he had accrued leave during his first year overseas, he was able to come home for a month in between as opposed to taking two months' terminal leave. We went to buy a car while he was home and because it was only a few days before he was due to depart again, we asked the salesperson if I could finalize the deal using a power of attorney, as my husband was due to fly back soon. That's how he found out my husband was in the military. We finished our business and as we were leaving, the guy merely said "Oh, by the way...Thanks" to him. We both knew he wasn't talking about purchasing the vehicle.

I swear I saw a tear in my tough guy's eye after that. So don't feel bad about crying.

Thanks again! GG

[bjcintennessee]

Welcome to FReepers!

And thanks for posting this. I had a similar experience around Thanksgiving while waiting for my plane. In fact, I posted an article about it in this forum. The soldier I met was such a fine young man, and yeah, I walked away with tears in my eyes as well.

[CamelRiding4U]

Thanks

[Taxman]

Welcome to FRee Republic.

Thank you for thanking the soldier for his service -- I make it a point to thank every person I meet who is serving or has served in the US Military.

You would be astonished at the number of "You are the first person to ever say that to me" responses I get.

We Vietnam Era Vets know full well the meaning of a sincere "Thank you." We did not get many of them when we were serving.

[TruthNtegrity]

Captain, USN retired, thank you for your service.

I love you guys. Sniff. Always will have a special place in my heart for Navy guys.

Darn monitor went all fuzzy for some reason.

[krb]

What was his reply??

His reply was probably "Thank you M'am, but I am a Marine, not a soldier" :-)

[windchime]

Bump!

[geopyg]

A month ago I had my kids up in the hills to go sledding. We were having lunch at McDonalds and a busload of army troops walked in. (And no - I didn't buy them lunch!). I was talking to my kids about them, that they were probably on their way to training, etc. My 6-year old daughter asked if they we're good army men or bad army men.

I said, "well, they are away from their families for a long time, do lots of hard work, and risk getting hurt or killed so that we can live in a country where we can have freedom to do what we want - like going sledding - do you think they are good or bad?" - (she said good!).

She (and my other 2) then wanted to go talk to them. We talked with a few of them - they were up from California to train with their tanks (M1A1's) and then on to Iraq for up to a year. That took me aback slightly, as I get so used to seeing neighbors go for their training, seeing the training convoys during the summer - but these guys were getting ready to fight. I told them thank you for your service, good luck and God bless you, and we'll keep you in our prayers.

And we do keep them in our nightly prayers (along with "the people in the airplanes and the people in the buildings that died").

[radu]

Okay, girl, pull it together--it's not a big thing.

It was a very big thing, and thank you for taking a moment to make that soldier's day.

A beautiful post. Welcome to Free Republic!

Thanks for the ping, RC. Excuse me for a sec while I grab a tissue.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

...Mike was due home in April but was extended again to May to help with the *surge*....this makes the fourth extension and he'll begone a total of over 15mos.

I'm so sorry, N. Prayers going out daily (and big thank you(s)!) for you and your hubby. ((Hugs))

[Taxman]

You are most welcome.

[Freedom2specul8]

:)

[Idlewise]

Your NYC parade reminded me of a return trip I had back to NAS Oceana the Sunday after the Kent State incident with the National Guard. I had to walk from Grand Central Station to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and worried that my short hair and Navy insignia on my bag would set off some sort of a revenge frenzy.
I obviously made it OK and as always during that time, did not travel in uniform unless there was no way to avoid it and always tried to stay in a group of uniformed people if traveling in uniform.
I work as a civilian on a Navy base around many uniformed people and retired military personnel so acknowledging their service and family's sacrifice is an everyday blessing.
Another great generation in uniform.

[JLO]

I've sure heard what you said more than a dozen times from other VN vets. (I've only heard about the bad taunts you heard and experienced.)

Welcome home soldier, most sincerely.

[Taxman]

Thank you.