Today we decided to go out to eat for dinner. We went to Applebee’s. We arrived and after 15 minutes of still waiting for someone to ask us if we wanted drinks or even to order, we finally asked to speak to a manager. When we’re in a country other than America, it’s standard practice to wait. No biggie. But come on, we’re in America. A place where people are attached to their clocks and looking at them every 5 minutes. My children were hungry and my husband opted to stay in uniform instead of going home to change.
The manager came over and immediately sent over our server, to which we quickly shooed him off and asked for another server. He didn’t even apologize for not coming over (but did happen to walk by our table at least 3 times without speaking to us). Enter the other server and we had our drinks and appetizer promptly. Several people were served and we waited, and waited, AND waited for our food. All the while we played with the kids and gave them lots of hugs and kisses. They were really good throughout the whole ordeal. All of a sudden a man from nowhere walks up to us and plops a few bills on the table with a note. He takes my husband’s hand and firmly shakes it saying “thank you so much.” I was trying to figure out what the heck was happening. My husband promptly told him “no thanks” but the response was a firm “no, I insist.”
I looked down at the note. Here’s where I became misty eyed. For those of you that don’t know it, my husband is in the Air Force. He’s not guard, he’s not reserves. He’s active duty and has been active duty for 19 years. We met when I was in the Air Force stationed in Japan. Right after 9/11 we saw a rise in patriotism and gratitude for the military. I’d be driving around in my uniform and people would just honk at me, waving a big “thank you.” It still gets my heart to see people actually appreciate what we do versus the liberals who call us baby killers. Yes, I’ve had someone tell me I didn’t do my country a great service by being in the military. Ignore them I say! But here we are, 8 years after the attacks and people still show their appreciation.
It was simple – “Thank you for protecting us.” It brings tears to my eyes to know that Americans are still supportive of the military. He left us $20 to help pay for our dinner. I’ve decided that I want to “pay it forward.” As a special thank you, I am going to award 2 people a $5 gift to the store of their choice. It doesn’t matter what store. You don’t have to get scrapbooking supplies. It can even be Walmart if you prefer. The only thing that I ask is you ensure I can get a $5 gift via the Internet and that it can be mailed to you without additional cost. All you have to do to qualify is leave me a comment on this blog. When you leave that comment, there is a spot in there to leave your email address. Make sure you fill out that block. I don’t suggest leaving your email address in the comments area because others can use it for spam, so just fill out that block and leave a comment and you’ll be entered.
I will leave this for one week. I am going to announce the winners next Friday. Today has been my Friday Fun Day and I hope to share Friday Fun Day with 2 of you next week. Remember folks, it’s because of the graciousness of the supportive people that help military folks worldwide make it through the difficult times.
Love and big hugs to all,
~Denise
July 17th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Your story really made me feel good. I thought that it was going to be a story about going out to dinner with your family but it was so much more. I can relate to getting bad service at restaurants. It’s so nice that your terrible dining experience had a happy ending that had nothing to do with food. It’s very thoughtful of you to share your good fortune with others. Thanks!
July 17th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
i love the troops! i appreciate you guys and all of you.
July 18th, 2009 at 1:05 am
I just saw your post on DSA forums and thought I would come over to check it out.
Wow. What an awesome thing for a stranger to do and an awesome feeling for you and you Hubby.
Im not American, Im an Aussie and I praise any troops from any country for their work. They do a darn good job.
ps: I didnt want to leave my email (Im not after your gift), but it wouldnt let me post otherwise, lol.
July 18th, 2009 at 1:45 am
Your story actually reminded me of 2 AFN commericals. One of the fellows is in a Army uniform and a random person buys him a newspaper out of the box–a way of saying Thank You (there are a few other sections to that commerical with that Army fellow, but thats the one I remember the most) and the other commerical, has a couple in a resteraunt where the fellow is wearing his AF Blues and a few tables over, a stranger asks the waitor to pick up their bill and to add their bill to his…another way to say thank you!
How nice of that man to do that. I too would be teary eyed! Too bad though you had to wait for the service. FYI, Dennys gives military discounts on their food–we learned that when John was in uniform too
July 18th, 2009 at 3:51 am
Wow, what an amazing story!!
July 18th, 2009 at 10:09 am
It is so nice to hear of the good people in this world. I am happy your dinner out had a nice ending (hope you did eventually get your meal, too!)
Thanks to all the military who protect us all whether in the USA, Canada or all the countries who are our allies.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I am so happy that you and your husband are appreciated. It’s nice to know there are people out there that care. . . and you are so nice to do this.. . My son just signed up for the military also. (he said it is really hard to get into the A.F. and there is a “waiting list” now. Too bad about Applebees. ( Maybe there is another one you can try nearby)
July 19th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
That is a great story Denise. I am very happy to hear that people are out there to support our troops. It is so sad to hear how some talk about our military. They would be singing a different song if you weren’t there though. LOL! I am not here to get the prize but I did want to comment on your great story.
July 19th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Denise, I am sitting here crying! What a very powerful post! I have never been in the military nor has my DH…but we have very strong feelings of appreciation for those who have given up their lives, their time, their families to keep us safe! Not only do the servicepeople themselves give the ultimate to give us freedom but their families “lend” them to us! I always try to say thank you. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been at an airport etc. and people avoid the servicepeople and the smiles we get when we ask to shake their hand and thank them. We wouldn’t have what we have in this country without people like you and your husband and I just can’t tell you what that means! Thank you! Freedom isn’t free…
Hugs,
Lisa
July 19th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
It does my heart good to know that there are still some here in our country that appreciate our freedom and the ones who are making that possible.I try to say thank you anytime I see any of our service people in uniform…Long live freedom.
July 19th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I am a military brat, I married someone in the Air Force but to me the hardest thing I ever did in my life was watch my daughter go off on the bus to be in the Army to serve our country. She and her spouse are still both in the military and it is still hard but they love what they do. Here is the layout I did about her a few years ago.
http://www.sbelements.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15384&ppuser=236
We try to help military folks because we know how real the paycheck is. Thank your husband for helping to keep us safe.
July 19th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Denise- thank you for sharing such a special story! What a wonderful thing for that man to do. I saw a story on TV the other day of some business that had a poster of people “paying it forward”- they were at something like 900+ PIF…I thought that was such a cool idea… We had a gal last yr at Goodwill who overheard our son and I talking about getting clothes,backpacks,etc for school- she approached us and said she wanted to buy Jayson his backpack for us, Like you I said thanks but she didn’t have to do that- she said to please let her do this for us so we did. It’s awesome when someone does it. One day I want to be able to do it as well.
Being the spouse of a retired AF man I can REALLY appreciate the sacrifices you all have to endure! Thank you to your hubby for doing his part to keep us safe here in America as well as you’re part for being so supportive here on the home front!! We appreciate you both!
Hugs
Karen
July 19th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Denise,
What a hear-warming story. It has to be hard sharing your husband with the service and all the rest of us and many thanks to both of you. I think folks often confuse politics with military service and the two are not related. Just because I don’t support the decisions our politicians made doesn’t mean that I don’t support our troops. That’s something I think we all should have learned as a nation from Vietnam. To think how shabbily our soldiers were treated makes me angry. Once again, thanks to you and your family for your love of country and the sacrifices that are made for all. Hugs, Elaine
July 20th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Please, I don’t want any gifts. What I would like is to thank you and your husband, give him a big hug and kiss for me. I can’t get over the shock of people’s attitudes today! But there are many more good people who do appreciate. Not sure if it’s still happening, but there has been a round of people buying for others all over the country, especially for our military. I try to thank any I see when I go about my day.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:57 am
What a wonderful story, Denise! I’m so glad that your dinner had a pleasant outcome. I know that it can be hard taking the money and it’s fantastic that you want to pay it forward, but I’m sure giving that money and being able to shake your husband’s hand made that man feel good and proud to be an American. You’re right, ignore the negative and always know there is positive out there.
August 5th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
such a great story. here in germany it’s just normal to wait since you will be served. I hate it