Have you ever wanted to Say "Thank You" and didn't

[J-Man]

 

[BABS]

Thanks for posting that. I can't tell you how many times I walk by them and just look and never say anything -everywhere from the airport to the grocery store. All for the reasons mentioned, a sense of awkwardness, shyness, etc.

 

[nailz]

Do people actually do this? Do military people actually know what that is? They all look so awkward in the video. I've seen this before, but it just seems like if you're that close, just go say thank you.

 

[J-Dubya 777]

I talk to them all the time at the airports, especially in Atlanta (Which seems to be the one I'm at most of the time) as well as when I'm out & about. Whether it's in a food area, smokeatorium, gate, or outside the baggage claim area. They have always been easy to talk to, and appreciative of thank yous & well wishes. For me personally, a hand gesture doesn't cut it. As long as I have a voice, I will verbally tell them thanks, and that I appreciate their sacrifices. Nice vid, I must say.. More folks need to do this...

 

[sh0kr0k]

I like this. We need a common way to recognize and greet our soldiers. It would be real nice if this caught on and became a social norm. Thanks for posting the vid, J-Man! I'll definitely be doing this - starting on the way to PPX!

 

[Sumeet]

Sorry, I just don't feel this at all. I certainly respect the personal courage of someone who marches off into a dangerous situation because he's told or asked to. But what I feel for them is more regret than gratitude... regret that these good people are being shipped off to potentially kill, get killed, or get maimed, by deceitful criminals in Washington playing games with their lives.

 

[Ascension]

Regret? You may feel it because of your political leaning...but l can tell you from the contact that l've had with some of our people in the armed forces...they don't feel any regret. One in particular...a 19 yr old nephew of a girlfriend in AL came visiting while l was there...he had just got his orders heading for Afghanistan. l took him out on Smith Lake in my boat for a fishing trip before he left. l asked him how he felt about it. He said he was ready & willing to do that for which he had trained for with never a tremble in his young voice. He mentioned that he knew the score when he enlisted...it was a sacrifice he was more than willing to make if need be. He said and l'll quote " How can this country be free if everybody is afraid to stand up for it?" l actually had tears roll but l didn't let him see. l was afraid for him...but l knew he was right. What's that saying..."Out of the mouths of babes....

 

[J-Man]

Regret? You may feel it because of your political leaning...but l can tell you from the contact that l've had with some of our people in the armed forces...they don't feel any regret. One in particular...a 19 yr old nephew of a girlfriend in AL came visiting while l was there...he had just got his orders heading for Afghanistan. l took him out on Smith Lake in my boat for a fishing trip before he left. l asked him how he felt about it. He said he was ready & willing to do that for which he had trained for with never a tremble in his young voice. He mentioned that he knew the score when he enlisted...it was a sacrifice he was more than willing to make if need be. He said and l'll quote " How can this country be free if everybody is afraid to stand up for it?" l actually had tears roll but l didn't let him see. l was afraid for him...but l knew he was right. What's that saying..."Out of the mouths of babes....

You my friend have my undying respect. My stepson volunteered for the Army, and has now volunterred to go to Afghanistan and my daughter Mary's husband is in IRAQ as we speak, he does it because he says" I have been there twice, lived it, I know what is expected, and I can help keep the younger soldiers safe". That to me is courage. These kids go over, and are not regretting going over, quite the opposite, they love this country, maybe not the leaders, but the country and for what it means to them.

 

[J-Man]

Okay, some of you have asked if the soldiers know what this means, Ladies and Gents this is a national campaign started a year ago. And in the armed forces they do give all soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen, a brief class on sign lanuage as it is an internationally used form of communication, so do they know? Yes most likely. So of you have said if you take the time to do this why not just go up to them, and say it. well, yes please do, but if you are in a position that you can't(ie in line, or they are in line,) then please do this.

 

[Sumeet]

Regret? You may feel it because of your political leaning...

Sorry... I don't have any "political leaning". Politics is a depraved game of deception, coercion, dominance, and submission. Not something I have any "leaning" towards in any way.

but l can tell you from the contact that l've had with some of our people in the armed forces...they don't feel any regret. One in particular...a 19 yr old nephew of a girlfriend in AL came visiting while l was there...he had just got his orders heading for Afghanistan. l took him out on Smith Lake in my boat for a fishing trip before he left. l asked him how he felt about it. He said he was ready & willing to do that for which he had trained for with never a tremble in his young voice. He mentioned that he knew the score when he enlisted...it was a sacrifice he was more than willing to make if need be. He said and l'll quote " How can this country be free if everybody is afraid to stand up for it?" l actually had tears roll but l didn't let him see. l was afraid for him...but l knew he was right. What's that saying..."Out of the mouths of babes....

So on the one hand you consider him a mere babe, but on the other hand you think his life experience thus far has been adequate to equip him to make life-and-death decisions, and understand all the consequences and manipulation that goes on? I know a guy who thought he understood all this when he was 18 too. He felt a hell of a lot different by the time he was about 25.

 

[Sumeet]

You my friend have my undying respect. My stepson volunteered for the Army, and has now volunterred to go to Afghanistan and my daughter Mary's husband is in IRAQ as we speak, he does it because he says" I have been there twice, lived it, I know what is expected, and I can help keep the younger soldiers safe".That to me is courage.

Tremendous courage, no doubt. And I have nothing but respect for that courage. I absolutely hope he is able to keep as many younger guys safe as possible. But that still ignores the 800 lb gorilla in the room... that they would be far safer if they weren't shipped off to get killed or hurt to begin with.

These kids go over, and are not regretting going over, quite the opposite, they love this country, maybe not the leaders, but the country and for what it means to them.

I think you misunderstand me... I'm not saying they regret it... obviously most don't, or they wouldn't do it. I'm saying I regret the fact that the very life or death of these courageous young men and women is in the hands of cynical, violent, corrupt individuals in Washington who see them as little more than expendable pawns in a twisted game of geopolitical economics.

 

[Yippee38]

So on the one hand you consider him a mere babe, but on the other hand you think his life experience thus far has been adequate to equip him to make life-and-death decisions, and understand all the consequences and manipulation that goes on? I know a guy who thought he understood all this when he was 18 too. He felt a hell of a lot different by the time he was about 25.

No life experiences can prepare them for that, except other life-and-death decisions. They know the consequences as they live with them. Manipulation? Yeah. But is it manipulation if you willingly accept it?

The soldiers who've fought for this country since it was begun have all been at least this young. They did what they felt they had to. Historically, they have no always had a choice. These people have a choice though, and they choose to go. I respect the hell out of them for making that choice.

 

[spag]

Sadly, most of the time I've done it, it was posthumously. I ride with the Patriot Guard when I can, and have participated in both flag lines at funerals for fallen soldiers, both young and old. I always wish I could tell them "Thank you for giving all."

Sometimes things are on a more positive note. I have participated in rides/BBQs at VA hospitals, where you can really shake their hand and talk to them. There are also welcome home events the PG hosts, but I've only been on one of those.

You don't have to ride to participate in the Patriot Guard. There are some that just drive to the events and/or follow the bikes. It really means a lot to the families to see us there at a horrible time in their lives. Some of the airport flaglines are brutal. This is where the families are first seeing their son or daughter's casket coming off the plane. Believe me, it's hard on us too. There is a reason I always make sure I have a pair of sunglasses with me.

 

[J-Man]

Tremendous courage, no doubt. And I have nothing but respect for that courage. I absolutely hope he is able to keep as many younger guys safe as possible. But that still ignores the 800 lb gorilla in the room... that they would be far safer if they weren't shipped off to get killed or hurt to begin with.I think you misunderstand me... I'm not saying they regret it... obviously most don't, or they wouldn't do it. I'm saying I regret the fact that the very life or death of these courageous young men and women is in the hands of cynical, violent, corrupt individuals in Washington who see them as little more than expendable pawns in a twisted game of geopolitical economics.

Opps sorrry I misread.

 

[kittybeast]

okay, now that I'm crying.... I do say hello and thank you every time I see a soldier. It's the least I can do for all that they do for us.

I even do this to police and fireman. I always wave to the fire trucks and cops in cars, say hello when the local fireman are grocery shopping, I even walked over cookies the last round of bad fires, though I wish I could've left a keg..

Don't be shy, it's not that hard to wave, or use ASL to say thank you! You need not say anymore, they know. Be it a soldier, police office, fireman, first responder just say it... It makes your heart warmer!

 

[OrbWeaver]

okay, now that I'm crying.... I do say hello and thank you every time I see a soldier. It's the least I can do for all that they do for us.

I even do this to police and fireman. I always wave to the fire trucks and cops in cars, say hello when the local fireman are grocery shopping, I even walked over cookies the last round of bad fires, though I wish I could've left a keg..

Don't be shy, it's not that hard to wave, or use ASL to say thank you! You need not say anymore, they know. Be it a soldier, police office, fireman, first responder just say it... It makes your heart warmer!

My dad's a retired cop, so growing up I always waved to other cops, even if I didn't know them. When I got to Jr. High, I made sure to do it simply because it freaked out my friends. "DON'T DO THAT! YOU'LL GET HIS ATTENTION!!!" "well DUH. That's why I'm waving."

At the State Fair the other day, I noticed that almost all the state troopers working are good looking. As I walked by a group of three I loudly proclaimed "I APPROVE OF ALL THE HOT COPS WORKING AT THE FAIR!"

Whether military, fire, or police, men and women in uniform have a dangerous job. Showing a little kindness goes a long way.

 

[Pellaz]

okay, now that I'm crying.... I do say hello and thank you every time I see a soldier. It's the least I can do for all that they do for us.

I even do this to police and fireman. I always wave to the fire trucks and cops in cars, say hello when the local fireman are grocery shopping, I even walked over cookies the last round of bad fires, though I wish I could've left a keg..

Yep, I try to give them props when I can...after all, they've chosen to put their lives on the line in the defense of the public as a whole, typically for a lot smaller salary than you'd expect for such a risk.

I'll never forget one night here in Atlanta during "Freaknik" -- this was several years ago when Atlanta reluctantly hosted that spring break for black colleges and universities nationwide. The event basically gridlocked downtown for a full weekend (along with other far more sinister goings-on), and it caused a horrific strain on Atlanta's police and fire personnel.
Late on Saturday night, some friends and I were hanging out at a rock/metal club just inside the 'security perimeter' and we noticed that, up at the corner where a barricade had been deployed to block the road, there was a cop who had been there seemingly for hours. With the night's show over, we went over to talk to him and give him some moral support. It was a young black cop who was pretty surprised to see a bunch of white guys come over...turned out he had been stationed alone at that barricade for over six hours, and when we handed him an ice-cold Coke, his eyes lit up like we had just handed him the keys to a Ferrari.
One of those moments that you treasure forever...I just wish we could have brought him a Porta-Potty, too.

At the State Fair the other day, I noticed that almost all the state troopers working are good looking. As I walked by a group of three I loudly proclaimed "I APPROVE OF ALL THE HOT COPS WORKING AT THE FAIR!"

Well? Did you get any?

 

[OrbWeaver]

no. But I hope I managed to brighten a few troopers' day that day.

 

[nailz]

use ASL to say thank you!

The internet has conditioned me.

 

[kittybeast]

Yep, I try to give them props when I can...after all, they've chosen to put their lives on the line in the defense of the public as a whole, typically for a lot smaller salary than you'd expect for such a risk.

No doubt! Sad though you can throw a football and make millions a year but the people who keep you safe, teach your kids and those that help you through disasters and crisis make "pennies."

Keep up the kudos people!!