Posted on 12/21/2006 11:20:25 PM PST by RedCell
I was traveling home from business in OH (flying from CVG) and I had a couple of hours before my delayed flight was to depart so I decided to grab some dinner. I was out in Concourse C so there weren't many eating establishments to choose from but I decided on a place called Moe's (the reuben sounded good).
The restaurant wasn't too crowded but the hostess sat me right next to a soldier. If you've been in an airport restaurant, you know how close the tables are and this was as if we were sitting at the same one. I felt a little weird as I thought he might feel I was crowding him. But then I took it as an opportunity to have dinner with one of our finest.
I broke the ice by asking about his choice of beer and we carried on from there. He just graduated from boot and was on holiday "exodus" (I think he called it) on his way to see his family in Pittsburgh. Since I spent almost a year out there on business, we shared a lot of the things to do there. The football game was about to start so we talked Steelers.
He told me he hasn't seen any TV for about 10 weeks and was looking forward to getting caught up. I asked about his brothers and sisters and what he was looking forward to most during his two week leave.
He then told me he was off to Ft. Sam next but I didn't press on much further than that. He was an extremely polite young man and I really enjoyed his company. I had made arrangements with our server that I would pick up his bill. It was the least I could do, I felt.
About half way through dinner, a woman and her 5 or 6 y.o. daugter came up to the soldier with a "card" the daughter had made on a piece of paper with some crayons. It said "Merry Christmas" on the front with a well-appionted tree. On the inside, it simply said "Thank You!"
I got a huge lump in my throat as the moment was very touching. The soldier wasn't quite sure what to say other than "Thank you". I could tell he was really taken aback (in a good way).
5 minutes after that, a gentleman came up to "our" table and asked if he could pick up the soldier's check. I had to tell him it was already covered but the man beamed anyway and shook the solider's hand. Again, the soldier was a bit taken aback and thanked me repeatedly for the offer. I told him it was I that needed to thank him. So he shook my hand and gave me a bewildered smile.
We continued to chat for another 10 minutes or so and, again, he tried to thank me as we were finishing our meal. Then he went to leave the tip and I told him his money was no good here. Again, a repeated thank you from him. We said good bye and wished eachother a Merry Christmas and a wish for eachother's safety.
The soldier's manners were amazing and he was proud of what he's accomplished so far. A very fine young man to share a beer, some food and stories of family with. I come away a better person for having been able to spend time with one of our finest.
daugter = daughter
Sorry - I'm getting a bit punchy.
Great story! Thanks for telling it, and Merry Christmas!
I want to express my thanks for the sincerity of all those who can honestly appreciate what we soldiers do. I honestly serve because I believe it is the right thing to do and because I have such a deep appreciation for the American Culture and Values. Everytime someone offers to do what this Gentleman did for this young soldier, it makes me feel even more inspired to continue my service and fight the good fight. I am not as good with words as I am with my aid bag or 9mm, but I have felt an amazing amount of kindness and community this holiday season and I attribute it to those of you who honestly appreciate what a soldier is for and why he does what he does. Thank you.
Just wonderful and awesome...and so like most of the Americans that I know.
THANK YOU.
Thank you RedCell!!!!
Beautiful story......such kind people in the world. I hope I get the opportunity to do the same someday. Our troops are the finest. We can never repay them, but small acts such as this let them know how truly appreciated they are. Thank you.
You did good. Merry Christmas.
Thank you for relating this! God bless the men and women of the United States military!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Taxman Bravo Zulu! for you, the others who stopped by your table, and the soldier!
Isn't America a great country?
DITTO that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.