Respect for service members

[kinnem]

I though about appending this to some other threads that I might be appropriate but decided opening a new one would be best. Part of what triggered this was watching some Marine Corps videos aimed at parents today; which got me a bit teary eyed. The reason I went to that web site was to look for some help for someone who wants to attend West Point; as she is having some difficulty with her parents. Anyway, it all reminded me of the following:

DS completed his first semester as an NROTC MO MIDN in December. Of course he keeps his hair extremely short. If it's over 3/16 inch long on the top of his head, it's too long for him (he used to sport longish curls prior to NROTC).

Immediately, when he came home for Christmas break, the family took a week long vacation in Key West. We flew to Miami and drove from there. People on the planes, in the airports, and throughout Key West kept asking him if he was in the service, which service branch he was in, and thanking him for his service. Of course he explained he wasn't in the service yet; but hoped to be commissioned as a Marine officer, and that he was currently enrolled in NROTC in college.

Anyway, just an observation I wanted to pass along. I'm sure you all have seen similar incidents since the first Gulf War and I know I have thanked service members in the past. But this was the first time I got to see it "up close and personal". I was impressed with how people's attitudes have changed since I was his age during the Viet Nam war.

Just wanted to share.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

kinnem,

I saw it up close and personal the day DS was dropped off after his Guard drill. I didn't know he would be issued full uniform(yes, even the ugly boots) that day. I was actually speechless for quite a while.

I had checked DS into a hotel by the armory, but I had to leave him there without a car(had to get home to other children..)so I stopped on the way from drill at Kroger to let him pick out some snacks and breakfast for the next day. A truck with a couple of youger men drove by and yelled "thanks for your service". DS was touched, but confused - he hasn't done any service yet. I finally told him to accept the thanks for being open to future service. It was an odd day, but it was when it became a little more real to this mom. He looks too grown up in ACUs.

 

[capecodder]

DS has always kept his hair short, stands tall and looks like he is in the military. This past summer while on vacation in Rome, Italy, several Americans approached him and thanked him for his service. He replied that he wasn't in the service yet as he just graduated from high school but would be participating in Army ROTC in college. One gentleman was retired Army and wished him luck. DS was wearing a Norwich University t-shirt when a man approached him to praise the Corp of Cadets at the school. He has conducted seminars at the school and is very impressed with the students at Norwich.

We've very proud of our son and his decision to want to serve our country. Our family has quite a few members who've proudly served their country. Most recently a cousin enlisted in the Navy, one cousin just completed basic training in the National Guard, one cousin leaves for Army basic on January 30th and another cousin still in high school will join the Marine Corp in October.

What a wonderful generation we're all raising!

 

[educateme]

these day, you see young service men deployed at New York Penn Station, standing guard.

When I look at them, I feel like, 'they could be my son'... I feel very tender toward them. I feel like going there and hugging these young men...

I am not exactly a hawk when it comes to American foreign policies and what not: not exactly a chest thumping, flag waiving advocate of "WE will bring democracy to YOU whether you like it or not" line of philosophy, if you get the drift....

yet, regardless of one's philosophical leaning, there is something about young men and women who choose to serve at the risk of their life when so many of the privileged young people pursue strictly what's most profitable to them.

I salute to all of our young men and women who serve.

 

[Pima]

A couple of yrs ago (DS was a freshman in college), my Mom came to our home for Thanksgiving via Amtrak. When we took her back to the train station, there were 3 USNA mids waiting for the train just sitting there.

After checking her in, I walked up to them and said Thank you. Their expression was priceless. They couldn't fathom why I would say that, afterall they were just mids at USNA, not military members. One even stated "thank you, but we are not in the military". I told them I knew that since we had an AFROTC cadet, but the fact that they were even willing to dedicate 8 yrs for us as a nation, deserved my respect and thanks.

I am that weird person, I thank military members, police, and fire as I pass them in the aisle at the grocery store. I do this because I remember the 1st time someone thanked Bullet.

June 2004. He returned that morning from an Iraq deployment and went out to dinner to celebrate his return. He was wearing a polo which was embroidered with OIF on it where the alligator or pony would be. It was not huge. We asked the waiter for the bill (family of 5) to find out it had already been paid. The waiter stated the family tables away did it. Bullet walked over in confusion why a stranger would do this, and the gentleman said I saw OIF and over heard your family talking about what Daddy missed while he was gone. It was my way to say thank you because of you I didn't have to miss those things.

From that day on, I make sure I always say thank you.