August 15, 2007
Speaking Up
Two weeks ago, my husband and I took our guest for the weekend to the Musik Fest that happens every summer. The Musik Fest is awesome, featuring many national and international recording artists. Many of the performances are free. There are things for everyone to do, including music for the kids. We had a great time; but the music isn’t really what I want to tell you about.
As my friend and I were walking through the crowds, we noticed a lot of military men. They were all walking around in their uniforms in 90 degree weather, yet they looked flawless in their appearance. I have always been a sucker for a man in a uniform, so as we walked by a couple of these guys, I leaned over to my friend and told her that every time I see a military man or woman, I just want to go up to them, and thank them for all they do for this country. She agreed and told me I should.
At the next tent, we stopped to listen to a performer. There were three army guys sitting in front of me. When the performer was finished, I leaned forward, said "Excuse me" and then went on to thank them for all that they do for this country. I told them I didn’t think that they heard it enough, so I wanted to let them know how much my family and I appreciate them.
The first guy looked me in the eyes and nodded slowly as I talked to him. He looked touched that I had chosen to say that to him and his friends. His friend, standing behind him, looked completely shocked. When I was finished with my little speech, they both nodded and quietly said "thank you" and it was obvious they really meant it. I can’t tell you how good it made me feel to be able to tell them how much I appreciate them and their service. If you haven’t thanked a military man or woman, I highly recommend you take the time to do so if you happen to come across one.
If you’d like to do something more proactive, you can email military men and women through this site. Here, you’ll be paired up pen pal style with a service man or woman. You can also go here to email a soldier a thank you. If you’d like to send supplies to Iraq for school children (facilitated by our military men and women), you can find more info on how to do that here.
Our leaders make political decisions, but our soldiers are just doing their jobs and being paid next to nothing for what they do. They deserve our support and thanks. If the mood moves you, please click on one of the links above and help to make their day.
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What a great post and I’m so glad you spoke those kind words to them. I did that once myself and I know the look of shock you are referring to. I think they can’t possibly hear that enough. Good for you girl!
BBM, I really appreciate you doing this. I had a post like this planned, as my thoughts are the same – more thanks and respect are due to all veterans. I will still post, but linking to yours. Just awesome. Way to go! Well done.
Bravo, BBM, for not only speaking the words, but spreading the word. I witnessed it happening, and they were humbly grateful to you for thanks. Not sure if you linked to this site or not, but another wonderful organization is Operation Troop Appreciation. They supply our soldiers with things they not only want, but need. http://www.operationtroopappreciation.org
Miss Chris: I agree. They can’t possibly hear it enough.
Nathan: Please do! Let’s spread the word and get more “thank you’s” out there.
KVR: Thanks for telling me I should, and thanks for the link. My encounter with those army men was much more satisfying than our little encounter with the “get fresh with me” Mento’s guy a bit later, huh?
You said it BBM. We owe these brave men and women a great deal of respect and thanks.
I think you’ll all enjoy this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osTrMe76kes
A noble thing you did, good for you. And good for those soldiers, too. I wonder how often military personnel hear words like that from a civilian. I hope a million people see this post and the links you provided.
I have thought of doing that. Maybe now I will. (I fear they’ll think I’m some sort of whacko!). We live in a big military area. There was a letter to the editor in the paper rencetly, a military man and his family were out for dinner. They went to pay for their dinner and found out it had already been paid for them. Plus a third party wanted to pay the check for them but someone had already done it.
I’m so glad you had the guts to say something. I’m going to sign up for the email thing today. Anysoldier.com is cool too. Some of our soldiers don’t get any mail, so anything we can send is so helpful. They deserve so much support!