I know someone who secretly pays for soldiers’ meals in restaurants of they are there when he dines.
He tips the waitress extra as she is in on the deal. She justs tells the men that someone in the restaurant has paid for their bill.
He tells me that many times when he offers to do this, the waitress comes back and tells him the management has decided to comp their meal.
Sounds like a great thing to do.
I’ve done the same thing, a few times (but not for 400!). Sometimes, the waiter/waitress comes back to my table to tell me someone else has beaten me to it.
I do that too but I do not go to fancy restaurants! More like Cracker Barrel on interstates. It is the least I can do. I was in the Atlanta airport years ago. There were many soldiers at the next gate getting ready to board. I did not have time to buy them anything but this great grandmother went up to them to see if they were coming home from the ME or going there. They were on their way over there. The only thing I knew to do was give as many as I could big hugs and say thank you and God bless. It may have meant more to me than them though. I just wanted one of their last sights to be a thankful American citizen.