Last night, my family and I were watching the fireworks at the Reservoir and my wife commented "We need to thank Daddy for what he does" to my little girls. The oldest chimed in a quick "Thank you" while the youngest screamed out "DAAAAAAA" in her 19 month old effort to say "Ta-da" as a firework exploded. It got me thinking.
As a service member, I've known nothing else throughout my adult life. A younger me found it awkward when somebody said thank you; I'm simply doing what I'm was supposed to do, there's nothing special about that....especially if it was a WWII/Korea/Vietnam/Desert Storm Vet doing the thanking...those guys are like deities. Now that I've been around the sun a few more times, it is less awkward when somebody says "thank you." I have a more comprehensive view of what it means to support and to be supported. I'll usually respond with "Thank you for your support sir/ma'am," or, "My Granddaddy always told me if you enjoy what you do, you never work a day in your life, and sir/ma'am...I enjoy what I do."
As a veteran, I do enjoy what I do, but I couldn't do it without the support that is shown; I hope y'all realize the impact you make when you show your support. I'd like to extend my appreciation to those who stop and say thank you. The majority of service members I know think along the same lines as I, and we appreciate it.
****This is not meant to call attention to my service, this ramble is genuinely intended to say Thank You to those (regardless of service or not) who exhibit their support****
As a service member, I've known nothing else throughout my adult life. A younger me found it awkward when somebody said thank you; I'm simply doing what I'm was supposed to do, there's nothing special about that....especially if it was a WWII/Korea/Vietnam/Desert Storm Vet doing the thanking...those guys are like deities. Now that I've been around the sun a few more times, it is less awkward when somebody says "thank you." I have a more comprehensive view of what it means to support and to be supported. I'll usually respond with "Thank you for your support sir/ma'am," or, "My Granddaddy always told me if you enjoy what you do, you never work a day in your life, and sir/ma'am...I enjoy what I do."
As a veteran, I do enjoy what I do, but I couldn't do it without the support that is shown; I hope y'all realize the impact you make when you show your support. I'd like to extend my appreciation to those who stop and say thank you. The majority of service members I know think along the same lines as I, and we appreciate it.
****This is not meant to call attention to my service, this ramble is genuinely intended to say Thank You to those (regardless of service or not) who exhibit their support****
