A "message" from Message - Soldier Says Thankyou
Soldier says thank you
I am a serving military person with 34 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. On my way to work on a recent morning, I stopped to purchase a coffee from a shop named for a former Toronto Maple Leaf. As I was waiting in line, the woman in front of me who was being served, turned and asked me if she could buy me a coffee. I was quite taken aback, but I said "sure". When she paid for both of the coffees, I told her "thank you" for her kindness. She promptly replied, "no, thank you". Given my age and appearance, it was immediately clear to me that this was an act of gratitude to the uniform. Strangely, the customer right behind me was another military person, and the person in line behind him offered to buy him his coffee and sandwich. The same verbal exchange ensued.
I would like to express my gratitude to these two people, not only for the coffee and goodies, but for the act of recognition. For many of my 34 years, it felt as though we in the military were serving in relative obscurity. Small acts of personal recognition and gratitude such as those I encountered that morning are far greater motivators than the material variety. Although appreciation campaigns raise public awareness, it is only individual acts such as these that indicate that real people care. Knowing that there are people out there who appreciate the Canadian Forces makes wearing this uniform worthwhile.
PADDY DOUGLASS
Winnipeg
Copy from Letters to the Editor: Winnipeg Free Press: Printable Form
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