I would like to share: Yesterday I gentleman came up to me and shook my hand and said: :Thank you for your service and walked off. Now I have over the last few years had this happen before and each time it has been uncomfortable and great at the same time. Let me explain. I joined the United States Army for many reasons and none the reasons included people thanking me for serving in the American Military. I joined because: I have a responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America, I have a responsibility as human being living here, my forefathers from 1640 on to this date have been serving this Great country, because my Brother served in Vietnam, because my Father and Uncle served in WWII, because my Grandfathers served in WWI, because of a sense of pride and many other reasons. Never in my wildest dreams did the hand shake come into play. Do not get me wrong, it is very humbling when someone does say thank you, I am just uncomfortable getting the shake. However, coming from the Vietnam group, it is also very emotional as we did not get the Fair Shake when we did come home so many years ago. It could be that I a little bitter that we were treated so bad by so many when we did what we had and were supposed to do!! For those who do say thank you to all of us that did serve, I am humble and grateful for the acknowledgement for sure. Probably more so of both of my Sons who are Iraqi Freedom Veterans and I sure as heck did not want them to have to experience the return that I got!! That is all.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 14:15:31 +0000