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        Daily Chat >> General Posts >> Thank you for your support, SIR!
        
(Message started by: jon019 on May 18^th, 2008, 8:20pm)

Title: Thank you for your support, SIR!
Post by jon019 on May 18^th, 2008, 8:20pm

Hi all,

Last Wednesday I was driving back from lunch to work.Spotted a soldier in full uni with beret and backpack sitting at a bus stop. Whipped a u-ee without even thinking. (not something I would normally do).

"Where you headed, soldier?"

"Fort Lewis, SIR." (dang, thought he might be headed for the airport which was 3 miles away, Fort Lewis is 35-40 mi away).

"Sorry soldier, can't take you that far."

"Not a problem SIR, I'll just take the bus and thank you for your support".

All I could say was, "thank you for your service soldier ( I almost said "son", I'm old enough, but didn't think it appropriate). He offered a firm handshake. I'm still delighted I shook a soldiers hand.

Haven't been "Sir'red that much since I was last in the grocery store. Yes, I look old, heck, I AM!

He might have been all of 19, and I would have thought it a lie if he had told me that, but he must have been. He was cool, calm, and poised as he approached my car. If this is what we send out into harms way, I am confident we are sending the best.

It's almost Memorial Day. For myself, I am grateful every day for those that have served and those serving now.
I never forget that my freedom depends on those that are willing to put their life on the line for it.

"Never forget!"

Just thought I would offer this for your consideration. Not about me, it's about them...

Regards,

Jon

Title: Re: Thank you for your support, SIR!
Post by debOUCH on May 18^th, 2008, 8:33pm

u said it wonderfully.............................they are constantly on my mind..........................

Title: Re: Thank you for your support, SIR!
Post by Charlie on May 19^th, 2008, 12:24am

Count me in. That was well done!

I've yet to meet one of these kids that isn't polite and a credit to the uniform. Makes me feel damned good.

Charlie

Title: Re: Thank you for your support, SIR!
Post by Kevin_M on May 19^th, 2008, 10:12am

on 05/18/08 at 20:20:32, jon019 wrote:

All I could say was, "thank you for your service soldier ( I almost said "son", I'm old enough, but didn't think it appropriate). He offered a firm handshake. I'm still delighted I shook a soldiers hand.

That gesture was timely, an occasion to be thought of, Saturday was Armed Forces Day.

"Armed Forces Day, U.S. holiday recognizing and honoring all branches of military; celebrated on the third Saturday in May; created by presidential proclamation in 1950; ..."

As of today, it looks like England may do the same, also.

Quote:

May 19, 2008

New uniform offence and Bank Holiday to celebrate Armed Forces

...

There is also to be a new day of celebration for the Armed Forces, possibly leading to a special Bank Holiday.

The new developments appear as recommendations in an official report called National Recognition of our Armed Forces, drawn up by Quentin Davies, the former Tory shadow defence minister who switched to Labour in June last year. He was asked by Gordon Brown to investigate ways of improving the relationship between the military and the civilian public.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3962535.ece

Title: Re: Thank you for your support, SIR!
Post by Callico on May 20^th, 2008, 10:51pm

Thanks Jon for recognizing him and taking the time to stop. That means a lot to our kids, especially the ones who have been overseas and are back. I try never to pass one up, nor a vet if he/she is wearing something to identify themselves. Have made some good friends that way.

Jerry