Kindness of strangers

[ChooksinChoppers]

We have a bunch of bikers here who, when they hear of a returning soldier on leave or returning with injuries, they get together with the person who is picking them up from the airport and give them a biker escort all the way back to their home. Each bike carries an american flag ....totally an awesome sight and gives me goosebumps (and a tear of joy) just writing about it. The soldier never knows about it ahead of time.

 

[Mamma_Duck04]

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BusyBlonde- I just want to thank you for doing that. I've had so many people attend funerals where the Patriot Guard was invited & they were always so greatful. We have a friend that attended 4 of the funerals for the SEALs that died in the downed helocopter & 2 had Patriot Guards there to ward off the Westboro group & they did an amazing job from the sounds of it. The job y'all do offers the last piece of mind & respect that a military family can have at such a time & I know it's so appreciated! Thank you!

 

[BusyBlonde]

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BusyBlonde- I just want to thank you for doing that. I've had so many people attend funerals where the Patriot Guard was invited & they were always so greatful. We have a friend that attended 4 of the funerals for the SEALs that died in the downed helocopter & 2 had Patriot Guards there to ward off the Westboro group & they did an amazing job from the sounds of it. The job y'all do offers the last piece of mind & respect that a military family can have at such a time & I know it's so appreciated! Thank you!

It is an HONOR to attend a Patriot Guard Mission. It is such a small thing that anyone can do (you don't have to be a biker, either), but it does make a big impact. I did not serve in the military, but all of my brothers, brother-in-law, and many other family members and friends have. When I say it's a small thing, I am not denigrating what we do - but compared to the sacrifices our military members and their families make every day, it is small in comparison.

One other thing I have done for many years is sending cards, postcards, and packages to military members serving overseas. Even if you don't have the money to send a package, a card or message saying Thank You can really make someone's day. AnySoldier.com is a great way to find people who just need a bit of support. Some people have no family or friends to support them, and I have gotten some of the most wonderful letters and pictures back from our Armed Forces members. The smallest of kindnesses can make an incredible difference in someone's life, just to know someone cares and is thinking of them. Especially this time of year.

 

[Oobyscoot]

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And the soldier is quite correct, they do get paid and are doing their job, BUT, I get paid for doing my job, in my line of work, I am NOT likely to suffer any grave injuries or possibly worse. I am an automotive designer, I may well help people get to work and back, But do i risk life and limb to do it? Hell NO!!!!. and that, my friend is the difference.

Yes they are doing a job, But they are not "just doing a job like everyone else" they are doing so much more, they are giving so much more and yes these heroes are humble. That is why I get wound up by the way they are treated. They should get the recognition and respect they deserve........

Anyone on here in the Uk, give a few quid to "help the heroes", they deserve it !!!!!!!

 

[zzGypsy]

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I once had a soldier remind me of the fact that he does get paid to do a job just like everyone else does. I understood his point, but, at the same time, I thought to myself, heroes are always humble.

I've heard the same thing from the marines we hire... still, most folks aren't paid to do jobs where they put their lives so directly on the line, and wouldn't take a job where it was required.
I'm with you on the "humble" thought. most of the military folk we know shrug it off, as if it's not that big a deal. but looking at it from the outside, and as a member of a heavily military family, I know it is.
I think some of them feel awkward about it because they don't have front-line high-risk jobs, or haven't been deployed to hostile hot spots. nonetheless, they could be, and they signed up knowing that. that's well outside the line most folks draw for themselves, and worthy of great respect.

 

[zzGypsy]

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I've seen the bikers out doing this from time to time. y'all are AWESOME!

my hubby was special forces in vietnam. he came back to the whole vegetable-throwing baby-killer reception. he won't say so, but it hurt him alot.
about 10 years ago we went to a fundraiser for a children's home that was held in an airport hanger and had a WWII USO theme - they had bob hope and andrews sisters look-alike entertainers and the people attending went in as close to period dress as we could arrange. hubby wore his father's wings on his shirt, his dad was a canadian WWII fighter pilot. during part of the entertainment, "bob hope" asked all active duty and veterans to stand to be honored... it was the first time anything like that had ever happened to him. it brought him tears.

in the last 7 or 8 years there seems to have been a shift. living near camp pendelton, there are lots of young military folks around. a couple of times a year some young person, often but not always military, will see the special forces sticker in the back of my hubby's pickup window and approach him, thank him for his service, shake his hand or give him a hug.

a few years ago one of my good friend's sons was returning home for thanksgiving from a military prep school. he wore his marine dress uniform home on the plane. in all 3 airports he walked through, people applauded as he walked by.

I don't fly much, but when I do, and there are military folk on the plane in uniform, it's pretty typical that the pilot comes on and asks for a round of applause in appreciation of what they do.

it's really nice to see folks in general seem to get it. my hubby says it's a world of difference since his active duty years.

 

[sheaviance1]

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And the soldier is quite correct, they do get paid and are doing their job, BUT, I get paid for doing my job, in my line of work, I am NOT likely to suffer any grave injuries or possibly worse. I am an automotive designer, I may well help people get to work and back, But do i risk life and limb to do it? Hell NO!!!!. and that, my friend is the difference.

Yes they are doing a job, But they are not "just doing a job like everyone else" they are doing so much more, they are giving so much more and yes these heroes are humble. That is why I get wound up by the way they are treated. They should get the recognition and respect they deserve........

Anyone on here in the Uk, give a few quid to "help the heroes", they deserve it !!!!!!!

I know! But, trying telling these guys that! You'll argue all night. I love their mentality, "just doing my job ma'am". Takes quite a person to be so humble about it.

 

[M.sue]

My DH had recently bought a documentary by Walter Koncrite, a DVD on Vietnam...live footage. Unbelievable to the ears & eyes, an eye opener.

This summer my daughter and I were going into a store. A young couple parked next to us was walking through the parking lot to the entrance the same time as we were. They young gentleman was fussing with his many buttons on his jacket and smoothing out the wrinkles from the seat belt. He was wearing his Dress Blues. All eyes in the parking lot, coming & going were shifting toward him. I smiled as we walked along side them and not so quietly (as my DD told me later) told him that he looked very sharp, that he wore the uniform well, and to be proud for we were proud to be walking next to him and Thanked Him.

 

[BusyBlonde]

zzGypsy, please thank your husband for his service from us. He 'wrote the blank check' that every US soldier, sailor, marine and airman has written when when they volunteer for our Armed Forces - to defend and protect our country, our freedoms, and our ideals. He could have paid for it with his life, and he did pay for it with a portion of his life. For that, we are eternally grateful.

 

[zzGypsy]

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I will. he still hasn't quite gotten use to it when people thank him.