We try to teach our kids to appreciate the sacrifice of America's service men and women. One way we encourage them to make the connection is to simply say 'Thank you.' when they cross paths with those in uniform.
All three of my children do this readily and as often as they see a Marine
(we live near Parris Island) or camouflage (We aren't far from Hunter AAB, either.) In fact, they love to find folks to thank so much that they often get over zealous, thanking anyone dressed remotely military in style, like security guards and that one teen in the mall last week, wearing an over sized camo print jacket)
While we were in NC this weekend, the National Guard showed up about the same time we did for a little something to eat from Shoney's breakfast bar. After sufficient thanks had been given (to the guardsmen for their service and to God for the food) everyone set to the task at hand, which of course is to try and empty those food bins as fast as they can fill them.
As we neared the end of our meal, a guardsman came up to Fisher and said:
"Young man, I first of all just want to say, 'You're Welcome' and also, you and your family here - the folks eating here- you all are the reason we do this, why we do what we do for the country"
He received another round of thanks for that sentiment before walking away briskly. I'm not sure if the glisten in his eyes was the fault of the rain or emotion , but I know that our table couldn't have been more awed nor more proud of the National Guardsmen that surrounded us at that moment.
