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Blogs by Tory Lynn
Memorial Day 5/19/2008 5:26:35 AM
I met a man who served from 1945 to 1959. He was sitting at a table outside of a store today with who I think was his wife. The small table had a red white and blue cloth on it and it had three containers. They were looking for donations for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The man was old and leathery looking, his hair was neatly trimmed with a sharp looking hat from the military. His face cleanly shaved. He wore his uniform with pride ... as he should. The hard lines in his face told a story of their own, but his eyes were clear and blue with a gentleness about them that had another story.
Each time a person walked by, he smiled and and asked if people would give a donation, and it didn't matter the amount. Men women and children went up to them and stuffed dollars in the containers. The couple said thank you to each person as they went on their way. The uniform this proud man wore made me think of all of the people who have lost their lives for our country. I walked by on my way into the the store and they asked me if I would give. I told them on my way out I'd stop by. How many times have they heard that, and people don't follow through.
I did my shopping, and not a minute went by that I wasn't thinking of the men and women who has served our country past and present. I thought of that man outside knowing he is a man with many stories. He is just one of our hero's that need to be honored, not just on Memorial Day, but each and every day.
I took out extra money when I paid my bill. I then did as I said I'd do before I had even entered the store and went back out to the table that they were sitting at. They looked up as I stuffed the money in the container.
The man said thank you with such sincerity as his eyes met mine. I told him he had it all wrong, that it isn't him that should be saying thank you, it is I that should be thanking you, all of us. I swept my arm out toward the parking lot indicating all people. I just smiled and said thank you one more time. A small crowd had overheard my comment and they all nodded in agreement and voiced their own thank yous. I walk away as others were going up to the table to give what was in their hearts.
Just a reminder to everyone. Support our military, they are the ones who make our freedoms possible.
Thank you to all of you on this board who have served, and are still serving.
God Bless you all.
