Stand Behind Them

I got this little gem in an email. It reminds me that there is are truly good, decent people among us.The power of such simple words as thank you can change a person. It means everything to our troops.

 I don't know where "Richard" is or if he is even still living, but I'd like to add my thanks: Thank you, Richard, for serving.

The email said to feel free to share, so I thought I would. At the bottom, it states, "If you don't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them."  AMEN. 

I absolutely could not have said it better myself. So without further ado, here is a wonderful reminder of why it is so vital that we support our troops.

(Note:  I did check with snopes.com; the story is authentic.)

Ann Margret.... Viet Nam 1966 "Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam , other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures. A few years ago, Ann Margret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing. When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted. Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn. He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, 'I understand. I just wanted her to see it.' She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, 'This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.'' With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them.. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there. Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big, strong husband broke down in tears.. 'That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army,' he said. That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband. I now make it a point to say 'Thank you' to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces.. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country. If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make."  --Author unknown A true Patriot will pass this on.   On behalf of those who DO appreciate all that you did for us, Thank you to each of you who receive this message who have served or are serving our country in the armed services or any other service.  IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM

Thank You for Serving

As a person who loves words and writing, I am always amazed at the power words have over us. Think about it. When you hear, “I love you,” does your heart not skip a beat? When your baby says “Mamma” or “Dadda” for the first time, there is nothing like it. Time stands still, if just for a moment.

Sometimes it is the lack of words that impact us. Words left unsaid, for whatever reason, can cut deeper than a knife to the heart. My husband served in Viet Nam. Those were hard days to serve. It became popular sport for Americans to show their displeasure with the war by treating our soldiers with disdain and disgust. And if not that, then to simply ignore our military personnel as they returned from the war zone.

As a mom of two soldiers, it disgusts me to think how men like my husband were treated upon their return. No bands playing. No crowds gathered. No one to even say so much as a “thank you.” Imagine the wounds we inflicted our own young men. Imagine that. If anything ever made me ashamed to be an American, it is how we treated our soldiers returning from Viet Nam. To put it lightly, it was despicable.

I am proud today to know that as a society we have evolved in how we treat our soldiers, at least in the respect we give them. Whether it is a side effect of the outbreak of national pride that infected us after 9/11, or whether it is just becoming a kinder, gentler, wiser nation as we age, we have begun to do a better job of expressing our thanks and appreciation for the role our warriors play.

If you know a veteran or a person currently serving, you probably realize how matter-of-fact they are about what they do. They don’t expect thanks, and most shy away from it. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t thank them or continue to find new ways to let them know we appreciate the sacrifices they make.

Last week, in my hometown, a thank you was unveiled for military members who have deployed and served in combat zones since 9/11. Banners bearing names and photographs of 32 hometown heroes now grace the main street of our town. The banners project became reality thanks to the hard word of another patriot mom, Sue Jantzi, whose daughter, Capt. Jennifer Jantzi, served two tours in Iraq. Mrs. Jantzi got the idea from a similar project in another town, and happily, she brought it to Hamburg, NY.

My son, Tyler, is one of 32 soldiers being honored with a banner in  Hamburg, NY.

The banners not only express the thanks of a grateful community, but they let us know just how many friends we have serving. I was surprised to recognize three names in addition to my own son’s name.

The real point here is to take pride in our young people. Show them how much you care and how much you appreciate the job they do each day to keep us safe. And if you see them, thank them for serving.

 It’s amazing what two simple words can do.