2 weeks ago, while teaching in Alhambra, I bought lunch for a female Army Major at an IHOP. (I am Hispanic/White and she was Black). She first tried to discourage it, but I insisted that as a Vet of 2 wars, it is my obligation and duty to make sure her service is recognized, I saw tears in her eyes as she gracefully accepted. We can make a difference one step at a time.
I tried doing something similar. Saw some soldiers at a buffet and I went up to the cashier and gave her $40, telling her that the GIs' money was no good there. She gave it back and said, "you're the third guy to try that."
Pretty cool. First from the standpoint that there were others ready to step up and second, she could have pocketed the extras and nobody would have been the wiser.