A few years ago, I began thanking veterans whenever and wherever I saw them. This was a huge challenge for me, an introverted nerd who doesn’t say much to someone I don’t know. However, hearing some news stories about how ungrateful some people are towards those serving in the military sparked my interest in saying “thank you.” I mean, why not? After all, their service is how we got our freedoms.
I got into the habit of saying thank you quietly, not a huge production, to every veteran I saw when out shopping, eating at restaurants, the gym, and the airport, to name a few. You can tell a veteran as they usually wear a baseball cap, sometimes a T-shirt. I usually receive a “you’re welcome” and a smile from the veteran. I think every person should be thanking the veterans!
A recent vacation with my best friends reminded me that one of them had served in the military and even had to go to war. I remember that being a rough time for him, his family, and me. I often worried about his safety, especially since I didn’t always know where he was. Though I was not related by blood, I could imagine the challenges they went through since he was a close friend. Thankfully, he made it through his years of service safely and returned home. These days, he is working and has a family.
When you see a veteran, not just today, but every day, say “thank you.” It could mean quite a bit to the veteran.