Well, Gator-boy injured my knee. Somehow or another he slammed into my feet while I had my legs crossed one too many times...or flopped over on my dangling foot one too many times...or something. My knee has been bothering me for about a month now. I noticed that it didn't hurt while I was at work and attributed that to my wearing support hose.
SO, this lead me to be at Walmart at 8AM Saturday (yesterday) to buy a knee support to wear at home.
In the aisle with the supports was a soldier in uniform. All I could tell you was he was wearing Army fatigues as I tried not to stare at him for details (soldiers are people too you know).
This soldier came up behind me as I was checking out.
So, I did something that is very hard for me to do.
I turned around and spoke to him.
Then I screwed up all my courage (I'm rather shy), held out my hand and said "God Bless you sir." And I meant it with all my heart. It occured to me on the way home...he could be dead in a year....dead for my freedom.
It was an honor to shake a soldier's hand and I'm so glad I took the 10 seconds to do it. Next time I see a soldier out and about I will make sure I shake their hand too.
And here's a couple of videos I got from Cookie ....
Just to remind you how real this war is. This taken from a C-130 Gunship during an attack by insurgents on British troops...
the good guys are flashing...bad guys are solid white
6 comments:
I am glad you had the courage to shake his hand. I do the same when I see soliders too. And as you I get all screwed up in the process. I am sure they are very happy when someone says Thank you. I will regert one day in my life forever. I was in the Minnesota Airport a couple of years ago. I was waiting for a flight home, I missed the first one. And I was sitting on the floor. A flight had just landed and out came several(probably about 20-30)soliders all dressed in there fatigues. I wanted so much to stand and clap for them. But no one else did. And I clammed up. I wish to this day I had, had the courage to just do it. I will regret that day for as long as I live. They have the courage to go and fight for our freedom and die for us if they need too. But I didn't have the courage to stand and clap. I pray that if I ever have that chance again I wil do the right thing and stand and clap and show my support aned love for them!!
I'm sure that you made that soldier's day but your simple and yet heartfelt gesture. Good for you for having the courage to overcome your shyness!
i'm sure the soldier felt very honored. such a simple gesture and yet one of great impact.
Good for you! We all need appreciation, but they need it the most!
You will probably never know how much that hand shake meant.
I do.
It makes everything they do seem worth while, if only for a moment.
Before Matt went to Iraq, he would'nt wear his uniform in public.
He's shy.
When he was on his way back, a little lady that was sweeping the floor in MacDonalds aat the airport took time from her busy day to come across the room and thank him for his service.
We all just about broke down.
Yeah, it means that much...
I hope and pray that non of your children, and you, ever have to go through it.
Ya know, I never had the courage to say anything to a soldier before 9/11. But after...I did. Now, when I'm at a resteraunt, or at a store (like you were) I do what you did. I figure it's the least I can do. I'm proud of you. I know it makes your hands sweat, but it makes them feel so good.
Love you.
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