saturday night the company that i work for had an awards ceremony/formal dinner.

last month i asked the m.c. for the event if i could have a few moments to present the owner of the company with a plaque and my gratitude for the support that he's provided me during two mobilizations/deployments.

i could go on and on about how while that was a sincere gesture, it was also a political move to point out how important that support is for future reservists and guardsment. although the owner treated me well, the department heads didn't. instead of suing or creating alot of havoc i decided to take the high road and try this first. i could go on about how much i really like living in my own little shell and how that was a special kind of hell for me to stand up there and make the speech, and then get applause, hand shakes and hugs from random strangers after the fact.

but instead of that stuff what i need to talk about is the guy who i've known for years. he's retired air force. spent more than a couple years doing things that we can't talk about here in support of missions that never happened. and in support of alot that did. after i made my speech the m.c. asked everyone in the crowd who had military experience to stand and be recognized. the rest of the audience applauded those men and women.

after it was all done and over with, the retired air force guy came up to me and shook my hand. he said that after 20+ years of time in the military, that that was the first time anyone had ever said "thank you" to him for his service.

two years ago my dad and his brothers went back to iowa for memorial day. every memorial day there alot of the vets come out of the woodwork, put their uniforms on, and march throughout the local cemetaries and pay tribute to their fallen brothers-in-arms. dad said that afterwards, at the vfw, that that was the first time he was ever cheered or thanked or had his hand shaken for his service.

yeah. i went through about 20 minutes of discomfort the other night. but there's alot worse pain in the world than having someone want to shake your hand and say "thanks". it was definately worth it to have those guys stand up and be recognized.

i'm closing comments on this. but if you come across a vet, as a favor to me, shake his hand and say "thanks for your service". (i don't mean to sound obnoxious with this. i know most of you guys do this whenever you get the opportunity.)

thanks.