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Date Posted: 18:08:24 11/12/10 Fri
Author: Bob Abate
Subject: Veterans day-Thank You for your service message

Several years ago, I was waiting in line at a local bakery and there were several people ahead of me, including an older man wearing a World War II Veteran's Navy cap. I moved over next to him and said I admired his cap and inquired if he had served in the Navy during the war. He said he had, in the South Pacific, and I then offered him my hand, shaking his and thanking him for his service.

He began to cry - an audible whimper, and the girl behind the counter looked on quizzically and concernedly as did a few customers who had turned around and were now looking at us. I apologized to the man profoundly and asked if it was all right for me to wait for him outside. He indicated it was, so out I went.

A few minutes later he emerged with his pastry bag and I again offered my deep apologies for "ambushing" him and that it was the furthest thing from my mind, to embarrass him in public. He very graciously said it was no problem, but that what had disconcerted him was my thanking him for his service during the war. He said I was the very first person to do so and he had been back almost 60 years!

We spoke for a few minutes and he briefly described his Naval service aboard ship in the South Pacific. They had been kamakazied twice and he had lost a number of close buddies and shipmates. He went on to say nobody, friends or family, had ever asked about his service and he didn't want to bring it up for fear of appearing to be a braggart or a glory-hound.

I then told him that I had interviewed numerous World War Two Combat Veterans and that their situations were quite similar to his. Most just simply came home after the war, didn't talk about their experiences, went to work, married, raised families, put on a brave face and went on with their lives.

He then thanked me for thanking him, we shook hands and we parted - two strangers who shared a very special moment of friendship that neither will ever forget.

Today in our Country, a relatively small but growing number of families share an unusual and sobering historical legacy - three generations of living war Veterans - truly a shared generational Brotherhood. Fathers (World War II & Korea), Sons (Vietnam), and Grandsons/Granddaughters (Iraq & Afghanistan) - all Veterans.

If you have the chance, take the opportunity to thank them for their service. Just don't make my mistake by doing it in a crowd. Gently speak to the Veteran quietly and personally, one-on-one. It will be a very special moment, an experience neither of you will ever forget.


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