As a Military member or Veteran, have you experienced kindness from others?

2018-10-22T18:16:56-04:00

Two years ago, at the AQ Chicken House Restaurant in Springdale, AR, I had a man come by my table and hand me ten dollars to pay for my meal. This was the first time that this had ever happened to me. In the past week, I have had more than my share of kindness bestowed on me. I ordered a hamburger and fries at a Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers in Branson, MO. I had handed the cashier my money, when another cashier, Cynthia, came over and gave my money back to me. She told me that my meal was on her, as her father had served in Vietnam. Two days later, I was again eating at Freddy's, and a lady walked over to my table and handed me a small box that was knitted, with the American flag on top of the box, and the red, white, and blue colors on the sides and bottom of the box. Inside the box was a flag pin, a 1971 JFK half dollar, and a cross. On Saturday, I was getting ready to pay at the Economy parking lot in Portland, OR. The cashier noticed my Marine cap and asked me if I was a service connected disabled veteran. I told her that I was, and she then asked to see me VA card. After showing her the card, she had me fill out a form, and instead of paying for parking, I paid nothing. Their policy is to provide up to 14 consecutive days of free parking to disabled veterans. I appreciated these acts of kindness, and the best thing I can do, is to pay it forward.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Oct 22 at 2018 6:18 PM

2018-10-22T18:18:37-04:00

Great post

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Oct 22 at 2018 6:22 PM

2018-10-22T18:22:22-04:00

That's pretty amazing and speaks volumes in a positive way

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Oct 22 at 2018 6:25 PM

2018-10-22T18:25:54-04:00

At a restaurant once, when to pay, cashier said another customer already paid out tables tab. 5 soldiers were at the table.

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 22 at 2018 6:31 PM

2018-10-22T18:31:36-04:00

wow!!! it's examples like these that prove the world is not a smoldering pile of crap

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Oct 22 at 2018 6:41 PM

2018-10-22T18:41:47-04:00

I was once in a bar in Austin more than 30 years ago (before I entered the military). There was a Marine at the door with his distinctive jacket in red and yellow, and a bouncer who was letting people in. When he asked this young, unsuspecting Marine if he was indeed a Marine, he let out a hearty guffaw of "Uh-rah," and the bouncer let him in for free. The pride on that Marine's face I can still see today, as he was seen a true professional. That is what kindness and respect looks like.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Oct 22 at 2018 6:54 PM

2018-10-22T18:54:17-04:00

Glad to hear stories like this, but can't say I've ever had anything like that happen to me.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Oct 22 at 2018 7:05 PM

2018-10-22T19:05:11-04:00

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member As a young sailor I used to Hitchhike from California to my home in Oklahoma in Uniform. Never paid for a meal and often was taken farther than the driver was going. Once I was picked up by a father who was taking his daughter-in-law and granddaughter to meet his son who was returning from a WestPac deployment. He dropped me off at Pier 15 Naval Station Long Beach; his son’s ship was homeported in San Diego.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2018 7:14 PM

2018-10-22T19:14:48-04:00

I always try to show some kindness for others, good teaching lesson for my children. At a local Chinese restaurant for lunch one day, I noticed a LTC in uniform siting by herself having lunch, no other military personnel at the location.
As I left, I paid for her lunch without saying anything, it's better to let her feel the community cares for her service.

While having breakfast one morning, 6 highway patrol officers came in for breakfast, with them their supervisor a good friend when I was a highway patrol officer in the 70's and 80's.
I bought their breakfast and got introduced to the 5 young officers, my words to them was, " If you pull me over for speeding, it's because I learned from the Guam Police", and that's my orange Mustang in the parking lot, remember it. Lol

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2018 7:23 PM

2018-10-22T19:23:19-04:00

I know whenever I see young service members, I always buy their meal. I can probably afford it more than they. Sgt Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 22 at 2018 7:38 PM

2018-10-22T19:38:18-04:00

A few years ago I watched as a young Marine NCO ate his breakfast alone at Ihop. I told the waitress I anonymously wanted to pay for his meal. Well he must have been persistent as he rushed to thank me in the parking lot. We locked eyes and it was quiet moving for both of us.

Response by SPC Diana D. made Oct 22 at 2018 9:17 PM

2018-10-22T21:17:49-04:00

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member That's awesome! My husband and I were out having dinner with friends and I happened to be wearing a Proud Army Veteran shirt and someone saw my shirt and paid for everyone's dinner. There are some good people still out there.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Oct 22 at 2018 9:37 PM

2018-10-22T21:37:38-04:00

Very nice, Sgt Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Oct 22 at 2018 9:46 PM

2018-10-22T21:46:11-04:00

Two instances come to mind,flying military standby shortly after returning from Vietnam was put into first class by a stewardess whose brother was a Marine,free cab ride home from the airport from a cabbie who refused fare and tip,(served in The Korean War,)both instances of total strangers showing compassion to a returning young Service member when most preferred to ignore or berate,not forgotten by this now senior citizen.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Oct 22 at 2018 10:14 PM

2018-10-22T22:14:03-04:00

Yes. The goody baskets I received from strangers when I deployed were wonderful. I appreciated the time and effort strangers took to make them and get them to us.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 23 at 2018 5:25 AM

2018-10-23T05:25:14-04:00

Ordered lunch about 3-4 months ago, gentleman saw my veterans hat, told me to put my money back in my wallet, he paid for my wife's and my lunch.

Response by CW3 Michael Bodnar made Oct 23 at 2018 8:03 AM

2018-10-23T08:03:22-04:00

I stopped off at a Starbucks in uniform one afternoon and struck up a conversation with a lady and her son behind me after I ordered. He asked me about all kinds of stuff - he was maybe 5 or 6. As we were talking, an older gentleman came in and shook my hand and said thank you for your service. I told him I appreciated his support and he left. Little did I know he handed the cashier money to pay for my drink and sandwich - I never saw it happen. One thing I took from this is to pay it forward so I paid for the family behind me.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 8:00 PM

2018-10-23T20:00:51-04:00

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member Not specifically as a veteran but I experienced a graceful save when I was in a Subway, with not quite enough cash and no credit card. A lady picked up the tab - just a human kindness. I have managed on a couple of occasions to pick up a bill, especially in airports when I spotted an individual in uniform in a coffee line. Paid and was glad to do it for the present serving generation.

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2018 10:42 AM

2018-10-24T10:42:16-04:00

I've never had someone pay for my meal (like lunch or dinner) but a coffee I have....

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made Oct 24 at 2018 12:31 PM

2018-10-24T12:31:41-04:00

l have seen lots of people that show and give kindness to vets like the flags of honor every year in Victoria tx

Response by PFC Deborah Shepherd made Oct 24 at 2018 1:36 PM

2018-10-24T13:36:37-04:00

My Dad and I were eating lunch he is a Marine veteran and I am a Army Veteran. The owner came to our table and told us that a gentleman paid our bill and she then paid his. This was the first time my Dad and I encountered this it was humbling and we were unable to thank the gentleman because he already left. What a blessing it was. I take my Dad to lunch or dinner once a week.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2018 1:31 PM

2018-10-27T13:31:25-04:00

There have been a lot of kindness throughout my years(I've been in for about 14 now) but the one thing that I will never forget is when I was on my first tour in Iraq in 06... I was just starting leave, in uniform and waiting for a ride home from the airport in Houston, Texas. The drive was about 2 or 3 hours back home but at the time my mom had no vehicle so she had to scramble to find someone to get me. I must have been out there for quite some time and there was a small family just looking and me and talking to each other. It was man and wife and small child. The father came over and talked to me for a bit and then went back to his wife, I thought nothing of it because a lot of people would come up and talk to me because of my uniform. He came back and said thank you for your service and when I shook his hand he sliped me 100 so I can have a good dinner with my mom and sister... I tried to give it back but he wouldn't take, he even offered me a ride even tho I lived so far! I hadn't received my paycheck yet and was so grateful that I gave him my first and at that time my only Battalion coin cuz I couldn't think how I could repay them and he absolutely refused to take back the money he gave me. I still think about them to this day and wonder how they are doing

Response by SPC Greg Davis made Oct 29 at 2018 5:26 AM

2018-10-29T05:26:28-04:00

Lol nope. I always figured that kind of stuff was a myth. Most I’ve ever seen was a military/veteran discount at some food places. Although a couple years ago there was a Days Inn that gave any of their most expensive rooms to military personnel for like $120 a night. It was normally like double that. I took advantage of it once. Never seen that again. Apparently it was just the one place. Don’t even think they still do it.

I don’t expect that kind of thing though. Most people just like pretending they give a damn when a black person kneels during the anthem or something. I mean really how many MILITARY personnel even care about other active duty or veterans; not to mention any civilians that give a damn. In my experience people are usually shallow and selfish. People just like making a lot of noise to get attention.

Response by CPO Deborah Simmons made Nov 9 at 2018 12:18 PM

2018-11-09T12:18:40-05:00

Thank you for your service.

Response by PO1 Edwin Anderson made Nov 18 at 2018 9:54 PM

2018-11-18T21:54:15-05:00

While living in Virginia Beach, my wife and I used to go to a mom & pop Chinese buffet at Hilltop. I noticed two obvious military guys....sailors. I told Mr. Wei to give me their check. So on the way out while paying for our check, I included the 2 sailors. I did this several times over the many times we ate there. About the 4th time I did this, Mr. Wei asked me WHY. I told him it was just MY way (a Navy retiree) of letting them know someone cared. He tried to give me my buffet for free and I told him I wasn't doing it for recognition. He was from mainland China and said this would NEVER happen in China. Unfortunately one day my wife and I went to go there for lunch and it was closed.

Response by PO1 Edwin Anderson made Nov 18 at 2018 9:57 PM

2018-11-18T21:57:49-05:00

In Virginia Beach several years ago after I had retired from the Navy, my wife and I often had lunch at a local mom & pop Chinese buffet at Hilltop. One time I over heard 2 sailors talking. When I got my check, I told Mr. Wei to include the 2 sailors' bill. Every so often I would recognize that someone was military and pay for their meal (once for a mom, dad & daughter). After a few times Mr. Wei asked why I was doing this. I told him I was retired Navy and it was just my way of showing my shipmates someone cared. He tried to let me have my buffet for free but I declined. Mr. Wei was from mainland China and told me that would never happen in China. Unfortunately one day my wife and I went there and they were closed.

Response by SPC William Szkromiuk made Nov 28 at 2018 2:19 PM

2018-11-28T14:19:15-05:00

Our newly adopted home town for our retirement is AIKEN,SC. Every year they have a Memorial Day Parade! I have attended all but one since moving here. It warms my heart to see the response of the local populace. I wear my Veterans Cap and do the customary saluting of the Americas Flags as they pass. In addition the local Veterans groups have parade floats with Veterans on board. Invariably one Veteran on each float will catch my eye and we share a personal salute. I watched them, they make an effort to find the Veterans in the audience. Very Kind of them. One year after the parade a lady who was sitting behind me came up to me and said she had watched me the entire parade and wanted to give me a hug! Nuff SAID!

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2019 6:55 PM

2019-01-08T18:55:58-05:00

Several times. Especially during deployments.