Greeting Soldiers

**shoiji** · 09-19-2009, 05:59 PM

I am interested in hearing what people think and do.

A couple of months ago I was downtown and there just happened to be a parade for returning soldiers. It was to welcome the soldiers home. I have never attended this type of parade and was excited to participate. Well, in the beginning of the parade all I could do was stand there and clap while I fought back tears. I was overcome with emotion and could just clap wanting to cheer them on. By the end I was able to cheer also.

The other day I was at the mall. There were two soldiers from the army walking through the mall. As I passed them I realized I should do something to show appreciation. So I smiled at them and said hello.

While I tend to be idealistic and would rather not see the need for people to go to war, I do understand that there still is a need. The personal sacrafice by the soldier and families of the soldier is something I feel I must acknowledge and should show my appreciation for.

While I do not want this thread to be a debate on the war, I am curious on what other frugal villagers do when they see someone in uniform. I also noticed a sense of pride when I saw the soldiers.

I look forward to hearing what other people do.

**guest002** · 09-19-2009, 06:52 PM

Well, as a military spouse I can tell you what most people do toward my Air Force hubby. They usually just say, tell him "thanks for his service" or if they see him and know he's in they say "thanks for serving". He usually just smiles 'cause it doesn't happen often and he's a quite type of guy and doesn't know know how to react, LOL.

Just that little bit of acknowledgment goes a very long way. Trust me.

If you every want to go further that that, I always recommend donating to the USO. They have done so much for the military when they are deployed. When my dh was deployed they were there both times and did for him and the other troops. https://www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx When he was in Iraq he saw a show over Christmas with Robin Williams and the former NFL quarterback John Elway. It distracted him for a few hours from the fact that he was missing Christmas with his family back home and stuck in a desert KWIM?

**Nishu** · 09-19-2009, 07:06 PM

The USO is a great program, and it's not just for those who are deployed. They have offices in airports and tourists spots that active duty members can stop in at to relax and have a bite to eat.

I live on base. If I stopped and thanked the men in uniform for their service I would never get anything done.

My husband was given a free upgrade to first class one time when he was flying home, but aside from the occasional "I was in the Navy too" I don't think he's ever been thanked for his service by a stranger. I know that I never was, but we're both Navy and people don't see us the same way.

I definitely think it's nice though for you to take time out to say thank you.

**Nana2two** · 09-19-2009, 09:37 PM

Im greatful for all of them and always support them. Sometimes a smile is all they need.

**ShadowMom** · 09-19-2009, 09:51 PM

I always try to thank a serviceman or servicewoman when I see them.
I also ride with a group called the Patriot Guard Riders, we ride escort for the services of those that have given their "all" for their country. We also will greet troops coming home for deployment and be there for their sendoffs.
http://www.patriotguard.org/
My husband was a Vietnam Era Vet, he remembers coming home to being spit on, called a baby killer, etc. and like many other veterans of the same era, has said It will never happen again. Our service people need to be honored for the service and sacrifices they make for their country.

**McD** · 09-20-2009, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by ShadowMom

I always try to thank a serviceman or servicewoman when I see them.
I also ride with a group called the Patriot Guard Riders, we ride escort for the services of those that have given their "all" for their country. We also will greet troops coming home for deployment and be there for their sendoffs.
http://www.patriotguard.org/
My husband was a Vietnam Era Vet, he remembers coming home to being spit on, called a baby killer, etc. and like many other veterans of the same era, has said It will never happen again. Our service people need to be honored for the service and sacrifices they make for their country.

As a former soldier and a military spouse, I make sure I thank every Patriot Rider that I possibly can. I am teaching my son to do so as well. A soldier that served in my husband's troop was killed on a volunteer deployment with another troop. Of course, the WBC was there to protest at the funeral and because of the Patriot Guard, the family of that soldier never heard, saw, or sensed the evilness of their actions. So thank you and your husband for what you are doing now.

Hubby has been stopped and thanked for his service, I think once or twice his meal was purchased for him in a restaraunt.

An awesome organization is the greeters at the airport in Bangor, Maine. Those little old men and women were there to see hubby's troop off before he left country and they were there to welcome his troop home. For hubby, it wasn't a big deal, but it was a comfort to me knowing they were there and for those soldiers that didn't have someone to come home too, it made all the difference in the world.

**shoiji** · 09-20-2009, 10:50 AM

Well I knew there were military families on frugal village. Thank you for your insight! I hope there will be more answers to this thread. Really am interested to see what people think and do!

**ruby3** · 09-20-2009, 02:52 PM

I thank the soldiers that I know.

I have never gone out of my way to thank a stranger in uniform. But reading this thread is making me think that I should start.

**Jamauk** · 09-20-2009, 03:32 PM

My boys are of the age where they are completely mesmerized by a person in uniform (police, fire, military, etc....). So they are always quick to point out an "army guy" (their generic term for all military personell) when we are out and about. We live about 15 minutes from the base that Nishu lives on, so like her, we see them often.

I'm teaching my boys that 1. its impolite to stare & 2. these brave men and women make huge scarifices for our country, and for the citizens. The least we can do is say thank you. My kids are fairly shy, and I usually don't try to push them too far out of their comfort zone (especially when talking to strangers), but we will often walk up to a man or woman in uniform and thank them for their service and shake their hands.

When I worked as a flight attendent (during and post 9/11) we transported many of our troops around the country. If they were in uniform I would always hold the passengers and let them get off the plane first. On more than one occasion they received standing ovations.

I know (like many of the wives here said), it doesn't always mean much to every soldier, but I want to do some small something to make sure they know that I appreciate them, and the career they've chosen.