Soldier, Thank You For Your Service
By Debbie Daniel (05/26/04)
It was a cool afternoon here in Texas, and when I walked into a business to get some information, I saw a gentleman standing back against a wall waiting his turn in line.
I couldn’t help but notice he was wearing army fatigues, so I went over to him and simply put out my hand to shake his and said, “Soldier, thank you for your service to our country.”
He slowly extended his hand and as I stood with my hand still grasping his, big tears welled up in his eyes, and I thought maybe I had done the wrong thing.
I don’t know what he was expecting, but I felt like I was holding the “heartbeat” of America in my hand and I was so grateful to have this opportunity.
He was a big ol’ burly fellow, about 6’3,” and had a very imposing demeanor. I would have reached over and hugged his neck if I could have, but I realized I had already caught him off guard. I wanted to sing God Bless America, but from the pallid look on his face, I knew that wouldn’t be appropriate either.
It seemed like an awkward moment for him until he slowly took a breath and said, “Ma’am, I really appreciate you saying that.”
It was easy for me because I jump at the chance to say thanks to men and women in the service when ever I can. I see a uniform and I’m there.
But he was finding it hard to get through each and every word and I realized I may have embarrassed him.
I stood over to the side looking through some papers when after a few moments he came over to talk. He shared about his service in Iraq and was delighted to tell me all he could . . . and I was all ears.
He was home on leave, and couldn’t wait to go back. I asked him why he wanted to return and he said, “I have to . . . the job isn’t finished there . . . I want to do my part.”
Well, to add more emotion to the entire encounter, my eyes started welling up with tears, and I got upset with myself for not being stronger. It was a wonderful exchange, and my heart was blessed by being in his presence.
Over this past weekend, I had opportunity to drive through the National Cemetery near my home town wanting to say again as I passed grave after grave, “Soldier, thank you for your service.”
This was a bit more somber, and I found myself so grateful for all these men and women who had given their lives for the cause of freedom. The precision with which every white headstone is placed is an awesome sight.
Whichever way you look, up and down the endless rows and rows of markers, they form a perfect line as if standing at attention as you walk amongst them. My heart was pounding as if listening to a drum beat, or hearing taps being played at each and every grave.
Every chance I can, I visit a military cemetery and pay my respects to those who lost their life defending my freedoms. It’s an overwhelming feeling to know that another individual was willing to do that because of his love for this great country and willingness to make it safe for me.
I’ve been to the national cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania . . . Vicksburg, Mississippi . . . Arlington, Virginia . . . San Francisco, California, and San Antonio, Texas, and there’s never a time when you enter the resting place of these heroic people that you don’t feel the presence of hushed voices shouting in one accord, “We’d do it again to serve our country.”
Today as I reflected on those humbling feelings to share with you, an e-mail popped up from a soldier in Baghdad. The subject line read: Thoughts from Iraq.
I thought, “Oh, my goodness, I don’t know if I can handle this.” My emotions were on the edge anyway, and I had no idea what this young man wanted to say to me.
Now it was me that was caught off guard. He wanted to introduce himself and share some thoughts of an article I had written several weeks ago. A friend had sent it to him and he had been thinking long and hard about what he wanted to say and he finally had opportunity to sit down and get it written.
I sat for a moment staring at the computer screen not sure of what I would read because he sent it as an attachment. I clicked on it and before I could get through the first few lines, I had to get up from my desk so that I could just cry.
It was a three page letter, and he wanted to say “thanks.” I pictured this man as he talked about what he was experiencing in Iraq and then a “hush” came over me as I read the account of a story he wanted to share.
He wrote: “I was down at the chow hall here in Baghdad one night, when the 9-11 commission was in session and being aired on CNN. After one of the sessions had finished for that day, CNN had a panel of ‘experts’ on that were being interviewed by the newscasters. The whole question of whether or not we should be in Iraq came up. One of the members being interviewed immediately started slamming the president and his decision to go into Iraq. The crux of the argument was that it was a mistake and that we should not be in Iraq at all.
“While this debate began to unfold, I looked around the chow hall. I work in field with many type A patriots that are considered to be some of the best in the world at what they do. At first, almost all conversation ceased.
“Then people started synthesizing what was said. A lot of grumbling started. Some people started yelling at the TV. Others got so upset that they got up, swore at the television and walked right out of the chow hall grumbling to themselves . . . I sat there and watched helplessly as the ‘experts’ in America played Monday morning Commander-in-Chief and dealt a series of crushing blows to the morale of America’s military.”
My heart just sank as I continued to read on to the end of the letter. When I finished I could only hang my head and realize that this isn’t going to stop
. . . there will be more. And that’s sad.
How can we send our soldiers to a battlefield, and then have them watch us argue and complain about them being there? I can’t even imagine that feeling.
As this Memorial Day approaches and we remember those who gave their last breath for a cause they believed in, I pray that we will find a way to get a message to our soldiers and say “Thanks.” It has to be lonely out there.
No matter what our political bent, we sent them there and the least we can do is offer our gratitude for their willingness to go. They’re walking through fire everyday and we don’t need to fan the flames. God Bless them all.
Happy Memorial Day – thanks for the service you or your loved ones gave to this great land.
If you have a message for this soldier and any of his buddies, I’ll be glad to pass your note along.
(Printer friendly version) Email: Debbie Daniel
