When I was a 19 year old corporal stationed Ft Gordon I got volunteered to March in the Augusta veterans day Parade. I was not happy because I then had to go speak with a group of kids at one of the elementary schools in the city thus giving up part of my 4 day weekend.
As we were marching along the parade route we passed an elementary school and all the kids were yelling things like, "THANK YOU" and "WE LOVE YOU". It was at that moment that I understood what it meant to be a soldier.
Later that morning I was speaking to a group of 3rd graders and this young boy walks up to me and salutes me, I smiled and stuck my hand out to shake his hand. He put his little hand in mine and gave me the firmest handshake he could. He then told me I was his hero. I told him his mom or dad, or someone he knows and looks up to should be his hero. He told me he didn't have a mom or dad and lived in a group home.
I Became his friend and mentor right away. I helped find him a family to adopt him and wrote him and called him throughout the years.
Next week he graduates from Ranger school and I am so proud of him. He has done more than earn his tab, he earned a place in the teams and now I get to thank him.
He plans on applying to OCS next year and I believe he will make one hell of an officer. He has already proven to be a top notch leader.
I've never needed anyone to thank me for my service, but I've always been greatful that someone recognizes it.
I thank people for their time when talking to them on the phone, I thank cashiers for being nice, I thank everyone really,but I understand that some professions need a day.
My wife is a nurse. She makes doctors look good, she works insane hours, she cares about every single woman who comes through her clinic and she does her best to ease the pain of others even when life is hard on her mentally and physically.
I understand that lots of folks from different professions work just as hard and have mental stress as well, but I've yet to meet a banker who holds someone's life in their hands on a daily basis.
Just my thoughts.