Thanking a Veteran

[jeep45238]

I met a great man on Saturday, who was commonly called Grandpa Lindsey, though I called him Ray all day. He wore a USS Donald Cook naval cap, and we struck up a friendly conversation. He told me that his son is on board serving right now on that ship, though he did serve. I made an educated guess, and asked him if he had served in the Navy during Korea, to which he confirmed.

The next part deeply saddened me, though later on brought great joy to my heart.

As always, I make it a point to thank every single veteran and service member that I run across, and Ray was no exception. His face turned white, his jaw dropped, and his eyes glazed over like he had just witnessed a ghost passing by in front of him.

He had never been thanked for his service. Not one time before 5/22/2010 for his service during a war that ended in 1953. The pain on his face when he realized what I had just uttered, and the sudden realization that this was the first time his service to this country had been recognized and deeply appreciated hit home. We both shed a few tears.

We talked more and more, and he mentioned that he went through basic with an '03 Springfield, though he dearly loved the M1 Garand that he had used several times before leaving the service. A light bulb moment suddenly hit me, and I informed him that there was a loaded en bloc with Ray written all over it. After a little help from a friend in the Air National Guard, Ray grabbed his ear and eye pro and scurried down to the firing line. It was the fastest that any of us had seen this gentleman move, including when his granddaughter DEMANDED her hug and kiss :)

Though I attempted to get these on video, it didn't happen due to some error on my part with the camera. However, I think the photos sum up the experience.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s127/jeep45238/Range%20Time/52223%20Athens%20AS/Ray/DSCN0972.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s127/jeep45238/Range%20Time/52223%20Athens%20AS/Ray/DSCN0977.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s127/jeep45238/Range%20Time/52223%20Athens%20AS/Ray/DSCN0983.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s127/jeep45238/Range%20Time/52223%20Athens%20AS/Ray/DSCN0984.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s127/jeep45238/Range%20Time/52223%20Athens%20AS/Ray/DSCN0988.jpg

[jeep45238]

And his 8th shot:
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s127/jeep45238/Range%20Time/52223%20Athens%20AS/Ray/DSCN0989.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s127/jeep45238/Range%20Time/52223%20Athens%20AS/Ray/DSCN0990.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s127/jeep45238/Range%20Time/52223%20Athens%20AS/Ray/DSCN0991.jpg
Photos can't capture the audio obviously, but Ray exclaimed with excitement and joy, and judging by his reaction to operating a firearm that brought him back to his younger years serving our great country abroad, he went home an ecstatic Korean War Veteran that couldn't have though of a better ending to a wonderful day.

"WOW! WOAH, OH, MAN!!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH! YEE-HAWW!"



I hope that when you think of this man who is living his life, raised his children, and is being an active part of his grandchildren's lives, and then realized that nobody had ever thanked him for his service in one of America's most gruesome wars some part inside of you says "That's not right - that's not how MY America treats her vets." I also hope that you get active, and make it a point to thank these brave men and women - we may never get another chance, and they may never realize that there are those of us out there who greatly appreciate their dedication and service.


Ray, if you're out there reading this, you've always got a clip with your name on it in my range box.

[rholmes69]

That's pretty awesome. Thanks for helping to share a lot of people's appreciation for the brave guys and gals out there defending us.

[jlottmc]

I too try to thank my Brothers and Sisters for their service. That en bloc was a nice touch. Is Appleseed recognized as a qualifier for the CMP? I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be a run on Garands if it is. Thank you for doing that. Also I will PM you for some Appleseed info later.

[jeep45238]

Yes, Appleseed is ran by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association, and we are a CMP affiliated club. In addition to that, participate in an Appleseed event fulfills the training requirement for the CMP.


Just remember, it's the sounds of freedom.
YouTube - The Sounds of Freedom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw6pGcQQz0o)

[Bawanna]

Ray looks to be in pretty fine physical conditon for a Korean vet, more power to him. I got a clip in my box for ya as well buddy and any other vet I run accross.

[wyntrout]

Mike, thanks so much for brightening the day of one of our "forgotten" warriors. Too many never had their service rewarded or recognized, let alone recognized appropriately. As you saw he was surprised and overwhelmed and you gave him a very memorable day.:cheer2:
Thanks, again, for sharing that experience with us!
Wynn:yo::D

[jlottmc]

Appleseed and CMP, that sounds like a way to acquire some garands and such, now I just need to find one that I can go to, have to work weekends. Hmmmm this could be interesting.

[mr surveyor]

Last Friday we buried a young Marine vet in my small East Texas town. He had already served two terms in Iraq and volunteered for another term of service in the "rock pile". He was one of the most recent casualties of the war against terrorism. It's a shame that he couldn't be around 50-60 years from now to experience the same kindness and patriotic gesture at the range as demonstrated my Mike. Definately, sincerely thank a veteran at every opportunity.

RIP Marine Sgt May.


surv

[jeep45238]

Remember what Memorial Day is for everyone.

[OldLincoln]

Mike, thanks for the story. I have walked past WWII vets for years and wanted to stop but felt funny about it so didn't. Now I guess I thinking of me and not them. Yesterday I was leaving a store and an old gentleman with a WWII tent hat was sitting on a bench with a youngster just looking around. I immediately thought about your story as I walked past him and got a good lashing from my conscience out in the parking lot. So I went back and thanked him for his service. His face lit up so bright and he reached out to shake my hand. I looked him in the eye and told him I was proud of him, then left. I believe that made a difference in his day, but I know it made a difference in mine.

I would not have done that if not for your post, so I thank you too.

[wyntrout]

Remembering America's Finest


I thought this worth sharing.
Wynn

Glenn Beck's email:

May 31, 2010


Throughout the year, there are plenty of holidays you might like to celebrate more than once. Kids would probably like a couple extra days of Christmas presents and Halloween candy…two Valentine’s Days for your wife…and I would give plenty of thanks for an extra day of pie, turkey, stuffing and…well, more pie. But more than any of those, the one day I say deserves as much repeating, reverence and recognition as it can get is today—Memorial Day. Unlike most holidays, the sentiment behind Memorial Day isn’t abstract—it’s as concrete and immediate as today’s headlines.

Officially speaking, Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. Now, you don’t need a history lesson to understand the sacrifice made by those who wear an American flag on their arm and put themselves in harm’s way—just watch tonight’s news.

We didn’t start celebrating Memorial Day until after the Civil War, but it was during that conflict, November of 1863, that President Abraham Lincoln gave his historic Gettysburg Address and eloquently laid out the simple yet profound idea that lies at the heart of this day:
It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

“The last full measure of devotion”—a beautiful phrase describing a tragic consequence. And while the fight has moved from within our own country to conflicts overseas, the giving of your life in service to your country remains a uniquely sacred act. American soldiers are fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the sad reality is those are not the last two wars that will ever need fighting. On this Memorial Day and all the days before and after it, we must remember those in our military who bravely served and never made it home.

As a way of keeping the spirit of Memorial Day alive the whole year through, I hope you’ll join me for my Restoring Honor Rally at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 2010. For this event I’ve partnered with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations personnel and their families, as well as full scholarship grants and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel who die in operational or training missions. You can find out more about their incredible work HERE and more about the Restoring Honor Rally HERE.

Just as we aren’t just Christians on Christmas or patriots on the 4th of July, we owe more to the fallen than just remembering them on Memorial Day. Let today mark the beginning of your year-round remembrance, and never forget that the price of living free to celebrate this day with your family was paid by those who wore a uniform, carried a gun, and gave “the last full measure of their devotion.”

God bless you, your family, and the United States of America.

Glenn Beck