Saw this in Reader's Digest and thought of us Junkies -

"Whenever I see military personnel, I make it a point to reach out to them.  At a store recently, I spotted two young men decked out in camouflage.  I stuck out my hand and said, "Thank you so much for serving our country."  "Well, thank you, ma'am," said one of them, shaking my hand. "We'd like to take the credit, but we're just going duck hunting."  

Has that ever happened to anyone reading this, or perhaps you'd rather remain anonymous.  

 Ooooh I just laughed out loud at that story!  I'm often in airports and I always want to go up to service men and women I see and thank them, but I suddenly get shy (and I'm not a shy person) and worry that I'll either embarrass or annoy them.  Anyone else have this problem?  Or are they thankful when people acknowledge them?  Oooh I'm such a sissy.

That was a fun read - I laughed out loud about the duck hunters.   No, never had that situation (smile) not yet anyway, but I have been shy, been quiet when I wished I had spoken up... I've been emotional when it's been onesided, been emotional when it's been mutual (that's quite an experience).  I've walked up undetected startling men who restrained from cold-cocking (I am grateful).  I've walked up more obviously while being welcomed too.  I've seen them from across the room and realized I was the only one standing with my hand on heart and just let my cheeks burn because the quiet nod from cammied personnel, to me, was well worth it.   I've stood in line not meaning to stare... yet most seem to recognize the mom in me and smile to my mouthed, "thank you".  On most eye contact while cued up or across the room, I'd just touch two fingers to my chin, then toward them in the American Sign Language figure for "Thank You". Often burdened with gear, with clinging family, or just "stuff", their nod(s) fed my soul.  During business travel, I've been grateful when uniformed men accepted my outstretched hand (to hold) while taking off, and sometimes - after not speaking the entire flight - reached back offering their hand for the landing.  I've sat across from very weary (and wary) eyes who let mine rest in theirs for seemingly eons, even while (mine) split over - while they studied me, and I healed with their smile.   I guess I've only done a little talking, mostly short, but a whole lot of communicating.  

Try a nod and simple, "thank you" (it will be easy on the duck hunters as well). 

It's okay to be a sissy.  It's okay to love our warriors too. 

Carly -

 

Trust me, it isn't annoying to have someone speak to us!  It is flattering, humbling, and emotional.  We do what we do because it's what we do.  We don't know how it affects other people, and don't expect anything in return.  The interactions I've had in my travels have been some of the greatest memories I'll have in my lifetime.

 

Here are a couple of neat examples from my own travels...

 I was stationed in Korea when I got the message that my grandmother had passed.  It was sudden, but I had a great chain of command and they got me on the first thing leaving.  I was exhausted from trying to pack, trying to call home, and trying to push through all the paperwork involved, so I was REALLY looking forward to resting on the long flight from Seoul to Atlanta (who knew they could go that far?).  When I boarded the plane, the flight attendant stopped me and put her hands on my shoulders.  "Are you a Soldier?"  "Yes, Ma'am."  "Are you an officer?"  "No, Ma'am."  And she hugged me.  Right there in front of all the people trying to get to their seats.  And I cried.  Partly because of the stress of my situation, but partly because it had been a long time since I'd had a "Mom hug".  As much as I was looking forward to sleeping on the flight, it didn't bother me a bit when, any time first class got a "treat", she made sure to walk all the way to the back to bring me one, too!  You should have seen the looks on the faces of the people sitting around me! :)

 When my unit moved to the local airport to deploy to Iraq, the last person to tell each of us goodbye was a little old lady everyone called, "The Hug Lady".  I don't know how old she was, but rumor has it she gave hugs to the guys leaving to fight the Civil War, too. :)  She took her time (no one seemed to mind that the line was slow) and made sure to give each person a good, tight hug.  When it was my turn, I got my hug, gave her a smile, and said, "I'll see you soon!"  That was a bold statement for two very different reasons... first, I was terrified that I might not come back at all, and second, at her age, there was no guarantee she would be there by the time I came home.  Needless to say, after 15 long months, when our plane touched down in Texas, there she was, hugging each returning Soldier just as she had when we left.  When it was my turn, I once again got my hug, then smiled and said, "I told you I'd be back!"  She smiled back and said, "What took you so long?"  I don't know if that lady is still there, but if she isn't, Soldiers don't know what they're missing!

 

Please don't be afraid to speak to a Soldier (Airman, Sailor, Marine, etc).  Most of the young kids need that much more than they know.  It might be awkward, but it will give that young man or woman something REAL to hold onto as they head off into so much uncertainty.

 

Thanks for being a supporter!

 

Kevin Creel

 

 

 Hi Kevin,

 {{{{{Hug}}}}}--{{{{{Hug}}}}}--{{{{{Hug}}}}}

Do you feel it?

I love the hugs that I have gotten back, maybe even more!

Vicki

Thank you so much Kevin!  You've given me a boost of confidence!

Kevin,

Thank you so much for your comments.  When I travel I always try to thank the soldiers and marines I've passed in the airports during my travels (haven't seen members of the other branches) and I never knew if they thought I was being silly or disturbing them.  I was actually in the DFW airport in Feb. when a flight was leaving for Iraq, I did see two old men shaking the hands of each soldier, but don't know if a lady was with them.  It was my experience with a couple of soldiers that day that got me to this website.  I went to a BBQ place to have lunch and offered to buy the lunch of the soldiers in line with me.  I felt like it was such a little thing to do or wasn't enough to show my appreciation for these men that are going off to war, but they acted like I had offered to buy them a new car.  I asked the soldiers if there was anything they need and if I could send them packages.  They pointed me to the USO.  Your posting has given me hope that they the soldiers felt my appreciation for what they do.  Your words give me encouragement to continue to Thank the men and women in uniform without hesitation.

 I also want to Thank You for the time you served and glad you returned home to get your hug from the Lady at the airport.

Anna

Kevin,

Thanks.  I too have issues with "intruding" on soldiers.  I have had quite a lot of occasion to fly lately and am always on the look out for soldiers but then never know what to say.  Next time, I'm gonna just DO IT!  Thanks for your service and thanks for giving all of us here a prospective from the military side.

 I would also like to alert everyone again about the dear american hero cards.  Just go to dearamericanhero.com and order the cards.  They are beautiful, free and are so appropriate.  They do ask for a donation if you can spare one, but it isn't necessary.

Had worked way past duty hours (at the VA hospital) & was clearing email before heading out. Kept coming back to one (AnySoldier) group's photo on my bulletin board.  So many times I've read, re-read, re-re-read that Captain's encouragement to supporters because for all the support I've tried to write into field, his responses really fed me.

Though we haven't conversed in some time, I wrote to him in the night.    

By the time I got home, I felt foolish as if I had "bothered" him and inappropriate for me to do.  I then read your posted and thought, well, he can ignore what he does not need. 

I came back here to re-read you again, and to say thanks for the encouragement.  "My" captain had written back before the dawn, inviting continuity as they (his group) progresses through their next changes.  Thank you for your service Kevin (and I am so glad that I waved.)

 Kevin -  I sent you an email through AS, and now I'm trying to reach you through a PM.  I hope you see this and check your inboxes. 

Thank you for sharing this story with the community.  Had a good laugh. I know only to well how it feels to disgrace yourself. I also tend to blunder frequently. I must admit I would have done the same like Deni Dax did. If someone is wearing camouflage you automatically assume that he or she is serving for our country.

Funny you say that I am the same way, I know my face turns at least three shades of red when I interupt one while he/she is shopping or something. We have one who comes in Walmart when he is in and my son always goes to tell him thank you. I try to keep teh distance so my red face doesn't show.