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Shopper Pays for Marine's Engagement Ring
AP ^ | Dec 23, 2005

Posted on 12/23/2005 7:17:21 PM PST by presidio9

A Marine who's planning to marry a Texan got an early Christmas present: A fellow shopper picked up the tab for a $3,000 diamond engagement ring after the two struck up a conversation in a jewelry store.

The 54-year-old Dallas woman who paid for the 1-carat, princess cut diamond ring wants to remain anonymous, Helzberg Diamonds spokeswoman Stacey McBride told The Associated Press on Friday.

The woman's father was in the military, her brother was a Marine who died in Vietnam and her nephew just got back from Iraq, McBride said.

Marine James Lynaugh, 28, of Patuxent River, Md., was shopping Thursday at the Helzberg Diamonds store at a mall in Tyler.

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Lynaugh and the anonymous shopper discussed their mutual military connections. Lynaugh opened a store credit account to buy the ring, then left with it.

After the other shopper paid for her items, she inquired whether Lynaugh's credit charge could be reversed. She didn't even ask about the cost of the ring, McBride said.

"So we were able to reverse that charge, and she paid in full with a check," McBride said.

A representative of the North Kansas City., Mo, company later contacted Lynaugh with the good news.

"He did say that he broke the news to his fiancee" that someone else paid for the ring, McBride said.

Lynaugh's fiancee is from Athens, about 40 miles southwest of Tyler in East Texas. The Marine also has family in Huntsville.

He did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press on Friday afternoon.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: anonymousgifts; godblessourtroops; iraq; merrychristmas; quagmire; redstateamerica; semperfi; socks; texas; weddingbells
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To: Hildy

Thank you for sharing that story and for your generosity. These people do risk their lives for us and they sure are underpaid for the risks they take.


101 posted on 12/24/2005 6:00:50 AM PST by winner3000
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To: StarCMC

That it is. I teared up reading this and thought the Canteen folks might enjoy it as well.


102 posted on 12/24/2005 6:05:14 AM PST by Arrowhead1952 (I never got a job from a person on a government program.)
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To: ken5050

Ya know, I love reading these types of stories, and wish others would post more of them!

Really nice gesture and show of support for these kids. God bless you and them all!


103 posted on 12/24/2005 6:07:12 AM PST by Tactical
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To: N8VTXNinWV

Ping!


104 posted on 12/24/2005 6:12:16 AM PST by shezza (51 days...or 50 in Australia)
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To: presidio9

Hey - that's pretty cool :~D

Hope she says yes :~D


105 posted on 12/24/2005 6:13:49 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (Join the Hobbit Hole Troop Support - http://freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net/ 1,000 knives and counting!)
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To: presidio9

Wonderful story.


Merry Christmas to you.


106 posted on 12/24/2005 6:16:39 AM PST by Soaring Feather
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To: Gordongekko909

Don't! Bless you for doing that.


107 posted on 12/24/2005 6:19:15 AM PST by Dont_Tread_On_Me_888 (Bush's #1 priority Africa. #2 priority appease Fox and Mexico . . . USA priority #64.)
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To: Arrowhead1952
Thanks for the ping Arrowhead. :) This is truly such a wonderful person to do such a grand gesture and for no accolades.
God Bless this Marine. May this be a blessing on his marriage.
108 posted on 12/24/2005 6:34:39 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: cookcounty
WOW!

No wonder you are so proud of your son. What a great thing for him to do.

God bless him and all your family.

Merry Christmas!

109 posted on 12/24/2005 9:27:32 AM PST by Churchillspirit (Anaheim Angels - 2002 World Series Champions)
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To: presidio9
This was a wonderful, inspiring thread until you posted that picture of slick with socks.

Shame on you, pres.....

Merry Christmas!

110 posted on 12/24/2005 9:37:30 AM PST by Churchillspirit (Anaheim Angels - 2002 World Series Champions)
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To: thebaron512
I send books and jigsaw puzzles to our local VA hospital.

I asked what sort of things the patients would like and was told - blankets. I guess the hospital issue are not the most cheerful, so each year I try to pick out a few colorful ones.

Merry Christmas!

111 posted on 12/24/2005 9:41:50 AM PST by Churchillspirit (Anaheim Angels - 2002 World Series Champions)
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To: Straight Vermonter
I always give serving - and retired - military a discount in my store.

Never had a negative response.

Merry Christmas

112 posted on 12/24/2005 9:45:20 AM PST by Churchillspirit (Anaheim Angels - 2002 World Series Champions)
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To: Hildy
"As I left, I picked up their dinner check (which was not small) ... without saying a word. It felt really good."

A wonderful gesture from an undoubtedly wonderful person!

I salute you.

113 posted on 12/24/2005 10:21:57 AM PST by albee ("Those that bite the hand that feeds them will lick the boot that kicks them!" - Eric Hoffer)
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To: Arrowhead1952

Thanks for the ping, Arrowhead.
My tissues are handy, I'm going to read it now!


114 posted on 12/24/2005 10:38:33 AM PST by La Enchiladita (What Child is this, who laid to rest in Mary's arms, is sleeping ....?)
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To: Hildy

Merry Christmas, Hildy!


115 posted on 12/24/2005 10:43:21 AM PST by La Enchiladita (What Child is this, who laid to rest in Mary's arms, is sleeping ....?)
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To: presidio9

Thank you for posting this.
Merry Christmas, presidio9.


116 posted on 12/24/2005 10:45:15 AM PST by La Enchiladita (What Child is this, who laid to rest in Mary's arms, is sleeping ....?)
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To: cookcounty

My thanks to your son; may angels have charge over him.
God bless your family and "Merry Christmas!"


117 posted on 12/24/2005 10:48:21 AM PST by La Enchiladita (What Child is this, who laid to rest in Mary's arms, is sleeping ....?)
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To: Brad's Gramma

Merry Christmas, Brad's Gramma!


118 posted on 12/24/2005 10:49:33 AM PST by La Enchiladita (What Child is this, who laid to rest in Mary's arms, is sleeping ....?)
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To: presidio9

Great Story!

Merry Jesus' Birthday to our Marines et al.


119 posted on 12/24/2005 10:52:05 AM PST by bray (Merry Christmas Iraq)
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To: Maximus_Ridiculousness

My thanks to your husband for his service to our country.
I live a peaceful, free and prosperous life because of him.
God bless your family and "Merry Christmas!"


120 posted on 12/24/2005 10:53:18 AM PST by La Enchiladita (What Child is this, who laid to rest in Mary's arms, is sleeping ....?)
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