This is not something that was forwarded to me. It's my own experience and I'm asking all of you to not only do it when the opportunity arises but to pass the word. This is NOT about whether or not you agree with the war. This is 100% about the brave men and women who serve. I have sent this to everyone I know. Please give it careful thought and consderation as well.

Thanks!

H


I was sitting in the Cracker Barrel last night enjoying a rather tasty dinner when I noticed that two tables away was an army soldier in uniform having dinner with a large group of people that looked like his family. I noticed he had the 10th Mountain Division combat patch on his right shoulder so I knew this guy had either been to Iraq or Afghanistan. The more I sat there and thought about it a thought began dawning on me. I've personally thanked a number of our military for their service. But you know...as I sat there I realized I needed to do more. I got the attention of the waitress and had her bring me the soldier's check. Now I'm not some touchy-feely sentimental type of guy but it just was something I felt needed to be done. I was able to sit there and have a nice dinner because of men and women like this soldier. They sacrifice a lot for us and buying a soldier dinner seemed to be the least I could do.

Here's what I'm thinking about. I want to be able to thank more of these brave men and women personally. I'm asking all of you that whenever you see a soldier, sailor, airman or marine in uniform at a restaurant that you go and pick up his or her check. Even if you only do it one time think of the expression of thanks you are making to that person. They know you care because you just put your money where your mouth is. And honestly, if you can't afford $20 to buy a soldier a dinner what does that really say? I'm hoping you'll jump on my bandwagon here and help me get the word out. Most of you know how much I hate email forwards but this one I really want passed along. It’ll mean a great deal to our brothers and sisters in uniform.

That sergeant I bought dinner for last night? He's home from Ft. Drum visiting his family. He's going back to Iraq soon. For his third combat tour. When he thanked me for buying his dinner I shook his hand and told him "No, thank YOU." You absolutely, positively can't get a better feeling for your money than that

very nice of you hondo. you know when i came home from Vietnam in 1972 people were calling us war mongals, throwing things at us, calling us baby killers..and so on. these brave young men and women deserve better... and it's kind gestures like yours that help them know it's worth it. as the matter-of-fact..my son-in-law is there (Bagdad) right now. God Bless Him.

That was very commendable of you Hondo! :yes: If there were more people like you, the world would be a better place. Next time I'm having lunch or dinner and see one of our soldiers in uniform, I will do the same.

A lot of my family have served in Iraq and I would still have one first cousin in Iraq if it weren't for her taking an ROTC training postition at one of our local universities. I'm glad that she is home from Iraq and safe, but there are still thousands of our troups over there that come in harms way every single day.

Let's all pray that the war in Iraq comes to an end soon, so all our troups can come home and be with their families and friends. :yes:

Nice gesture Hondo....I will do the same next time I see a soldier having a meal in a diner or restaurant. I have a lot of pride in our soldiers and for the Families and friends that support them.

USAF 1972 - 1981

Very nice ... I am In too

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Well done.....we can never thank them enough

http://forums.dsstester.com/vbb/showthread.php?p=669853#post669853


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That was awesome Hondo!!!!

My son-in-law will be leaving next month, he has been training for a while.

I will be following your example!!

I agree and you can consider it done already!

If it wasnt for them we wouldnt be here playing our games!

Thank you Hondo!

Very commendable and an excellent way to show your (our) appreciation for our men and women in uniform. My son is 15 years in the military and he is always telling me of the appreciation being shown to him. I will be sure to pay it forward.

I will never forget my Brother returning from Nam and how he was treated. It was a total disgrace. He threw his Purple Hearts in the ocean and never wore the uniform again. Man, how different it may have been if just one kind word or gesture would have been given to him.

hondo that was a great way to show support for our troops and i will follow your lead the first chance i get:beer:

Great post Hondo, the very least we can do given the sacrifice these individuals put forth.

I also remember the post Nam days, disgusting.

I'm glad to see you guys share my feelings on this. Hopefully the folks here will continue to pass this idea around.

Hondo....Great post and great way to show support for our troops...I think this
will touch the hearts and minds of many.

Well I must say hondo, I can't remember when a person got my respect so quick while never knowing them personally.I can't say when I felt more proud than reading this post.
Me, yep, old fart Marine and damm proud of it as we are told we are the dying breed of Marine. I sure as hell hope not and I don't see it in the young men and women I meet in every branch of service. There are a few bad apples in every barrell, but overall, we have some real damm fine people in our service and God bless every one of them. I know we live in a country were we have the right to free speech and just so. But, let someone mock or cuss what they don't know and this old Marine can go from smiling to fighting in a drop of a hat. You might not like the war, and you have that right, but by God you should never put the men and women down that are putting thier lives on the line to ensure you continue to have that right.
I served from 1979 till 1997 and would do it again in a flash. You keep up that frame of mind old friend and if I ever have the chance to meet up with you, you can bet, dinner is on me with a smile.
I truly hope that those of you that have stated you will pay it forward, do so and do it with a smile. Always remember these men and women every single night you lat down and do it without worry of a bomb going off at your local school or mall, because if we pull out and "leave them alone", you can bet your ass that it will not be long until the next fight is on our shores and then we will see what all the spolied, bratty little whinners have to say then. Some just don't understand that these left wing idiots hate us for just breathing the air on this planet and they have fought since recorded history and have no intent on stoping until THEY think we are all gone and they have cleansed the world of us.
Sorry for the rant...got a nerve there...lol

Peace to all mankind,
Colt 44

Well I must say hondo, I can't remember when a person got my respect so quick while never knowing them personally.I can't say when I felt more proud than reading this post.
Me, yep, old fart Marine and damm proud of it as we are told we are the dying breed of Marine. I sure as hell hope not and I don't see it in the young men and women I meet in every branch of service. There are a few bad apples in every barrell, but overall, we have some real damm fine people in our service and God bless every one of them. I know we live in a country were we have the right to free speech and just so. But, let someone mock or cuss what they don't know and this old Marine can go from smiling to fighting in a drop of a hat. You might not like the war, and you have that right, but by God you should never put the men and women down that are putting thier lives on the line to ensure you continue to have that right.
I served from 1979 till 1997 and would do it again in a flash. You keep up that frame of mind old friend and if I ever have the chance to meet up with you, you can bet, dinner is on me with a smile.
I truly hope that those of you that have stated you will pay it forward, do so and do it with a smile. Always remember these men and women every single night you lat down and do it without worry of a bomb going off at your local school or mall, because if we pull out and "leave them alone", you can bet your ass that it will not be long until the next fight is on our shores and then we will see what all the spolied, bratty little whinners have to say then. Some just don't understand that these left wing idiots hate us for just breathing the air on this planet and they have fought since recorded history and have no intent on stoping until THEY think we are all gone and they have cleansed the world of us.
Sorry for the rant...got a nerve there...lol

Peace to all mankind,
Colt 44

Exactly, I can't agree with you more.

Excellent post Hondo and for sure I will do the same whenever/wherever I run into a soldier...as I too have two nephews currently active....one in Afganistan and one in Bagdad.....both just kids....prayin they both come back OK.Good job sir...>)

God Bless you Hondo and all others who respect our soldiers and what they do. I lost a brother to the viet nam war and I know he was there so I could live free here.

"You might not like the war, and you have that right, but by God you should never put the men and women down that are putting thier lives on the line to ensure you continue to have that right." Colt44

I may not always agree with the bureaucratic reasoning,that being said. When somebody is willing to put their life on the line for something they believed in. That should never be taken lightly.doing so is simply showing disrespect for human life.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

"evil can only triumph, when good men do nothing"


Hondo thank you for opening this thread and thank you all for your participation in it giver7

"You might not like the war, and you have that right, but by God you should never put the men and women down that are putting thier lives on the line to ensure you continue to have that right." Colt44

I may not always agree with the bureaucratic reasoning,that being said. When somebody is willing to put their life on the line for something they believed in. That should never be taken lightly.doing so is simply showing disrespect for human life.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

"evil can only triumph, when good men do nothing"


Hondo thank you for opening this thread and thank you all for your participation in it giver7


I could not have said it better myself.. one may not agree or like the ideas behind the war.. but you cannot blame the people that are being sent in and putting their lives on the line.

Good for you Hondo. I only know one guy in active service right now, but when ever he comes back to visit I always buy him a beer. (even though I hate it when he comes back. He's a chick magnet and there aren't that many to go around where I live. ;) )

Well said, we have to love our soldiers,and never forget. In past couple days,its only to clear.Canada Day...july 1...Frist world war memorial day..NL.lost most all our young men.We were a country then,,,lots will never remember.Then I shall not let them..

Awesome post hondo, I think that we all should do whatever we can to say thanks..

BPG~

Hondo I am new to this site and was reading your post. With tears rolling down my face because my Daughter just Graduated from Boot Camp for USA Army National Gaurd. She made me the Proudest Mom in the World. Because my Daughter has not even Graduated High School yet but has already decided
to serve this Great Country of Ours. But the reason it made me Cry was on the way home from boot camp we where at a restraunt eating dinner and someone Like you took notice of Her in Uniform and payed for both our dinners. I told him he didn't have to pay for mine because I wasn't in the Service. He told me if it wasn't for parents like me. There wouldn't be Strong Willing Soldiers like Her. I take no credit for Her decisions But I am proud of her and All who serve this Great Country. So thank you to all who serve or have served this Great Nation. Last but not least Thank You to each and everyone who Supports Our Troops and all they do to keep us all Free. We need more peolple like you Hondo. And yes I will pass it foward.

Because Freedom ain't Free.

I know this is an older post and hope I didn't break any rules. But just had to post an answer to this post.

Thank you , for the post. Want to help them make sure their GI bill rights, never go away as the Vietnam era did they deserve it. during Regan era I put in for my small business loan and small business advisor support and a va home loan was told they were out of money. I put in 3 times same story then they cut off the Vietnam era bill at least they changed the way va decides disability now they have to prove case not you that is good