Humbling Experience

poohperson2000: blog

poohperson2000's blog

humbling experience

Published May. 8, 2008

Last night I had a new experience that I was unsure how to feel about. Hubby finally came home from his month of AT with the National Guard. Of course they had them stand around doing nothing long enough to not release them until the middle of rush hour traffic, so we decided to have dinner, then drive home.

We went to the Red Robin in Cary and ordered our dinner. Just as we were wrapping up the manager came over and checked on how our meal was, and told us there was a patron that wanted to pay for our dinner. They appreciated my husband’s service to the country and this was their way of thanking us. WOW. That is a nice gesture and if anyone reading this was our mystery patron, THANK YOU. Then you feel a twinge of guilt. All the soldiers that came home from Korea and Vietnam were not supported in this way. We (which really excludes me because I am way too young) turned our back on these soldiers because we did not believe in that war and that purpose. I feel horrible that my family is treated with such respect and regard, but those soldiers and families were faced with rudeness and humiliation. Do not get me wrong, I am glad our country has made these changes in mindset, but it is still sad to think about. All in about 5 minutes I felt honored, grateful, proud of my husband, sad, glad. You name it I felt it.

For our mystery dinner purchaser thank you so much. You really touched our lives. To all the others that just remember to say thank you and appreciate our troops, thank you too. Your support means to the world to me. As my husband travels to Iraq next year, I will know that all your thoughts and prayers are with us. Thank you for caring for our soldiers, it will not be taken lightly.

abuse

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That's fantastic!

Beth

Strawberry Letter 23
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
May 8, 2008 7:31 p.m.

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Pooh, I'm happy for you and your family that someone reached out to thank you. Our Vietnam vets were treated badly, but I think with some hindsight, lots of people realized they deserved a better welcome home and thanks. As someone pointed out earlier, they were just following orders. However, I think if we hadn't treated those vets so poorly and realized the mistake in that, we wouldn't have people responding so positively to our men and women in uniform now.

lawpirate
GOLO member since July 28, 2007
May 8, 2008 2:42 p.m.

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AV8R

You have no idea how sorry I am that you experienced that.

poohperson2000
GOLO member since July 12, 2007
May 8, 2008 12:41 p.m.

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When I came home from Vietnam as a Marine in the early 70s I couldn't wait to get to the airport for a connecting flight home. I expected nods and smiles as I walked through the terminal. Instead all I got were glares. As I found the gate for my connecting flight, I took a seat next to an Army First Sergeant. We exchanged hellos and then just sat watching the other people sitting around us. We had to be thinking the same thing because he leaned over to me and said "You feelin'it too?" Now my son is in the recruitment process for the Marine Corps and I'm so glad that the climate has changed toward our men and women in uniform.

AV8R
GOLO member since May 2, 2008
May 8, 2008 12:37 p.m.

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9/11 brought home the message that freedom is not free or without sacrifice. Fire Fighters, Police and our service men and women, and many, many civilians protect even the most undeserving among us, 24hrs a day, 365 days a year!! Thank you so very much!!!!

GWALLY
May 8, 2008 10:12 a.m.

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Something similar happended to my Dad when he came home on leave from Iraq last April. They had been stuck in Germany with plane problems for several days. When he finally got into Atlanta there was no flights to RDU until late morning. A gentleman waiting for the early flight to RDU gave my Dad his seat so he could get home quicker. He said it was the least he could do for my Dad who has done so much for the country. I have never felt more proud of my Dad being a soldier than when he told us that story. I don't know how my family would have coped with the stress you already feel with a family member over seas and then on top of that have the country ridiculing them for their service.

Lane2
GOLO member since March 17, 2008
May 8, 2008 10:09 a.m.

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I am always grateful for our military, and I try to thank them each time I see them. Never feel horrible when people do this for you. You can't help how others feel. Some people can't put their personal feelings aside (rather they be towards our President or the war going on, etc.) to show gratitude to those who protect and fight for them. THEY should feel horrible. So I'll say it, right here. Thanks to your husband for his service, and thanks to you for being so supportive of the military.

jedichick
GOLO member since July 19, 2007
May 8, 2008 9:55 a.m.

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Since my husband is in the Reserves it is rare he is in public in uniform. I have heard people thank him for his service before, and that floods me with emotion too. Monday he starts a new job, and will wear a uniform everyday so I guess I will have to get use to this. Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart.

poohperson2000
GOLO member since July 12, 2007
May 8, 2008 9:40 a.m.

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Never feel guilty.

I always buy when I know there is a veteran in the house.

I bought the dinner of a Navy man from WWII the other night. Told the manager that it was a reward for his service.

Three weeks ago it was a Vietnam Vet.

TheAdmiral
GOLO member since December 12, 2007
May 8, 2008 9:38 a.m.

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What an uplifting story - thanks for sharing! And thanks to the mystery benefactor as well. Hugs, best wishes and prayers accompany your husband as he goes to serve his country. Thank you!