The other day my wife and I were at the Hospital doing an ultra sound (she is pregnant) and when we sat down in the waiting room I noticed an old man across from me.
He was sitting alone reading a magazine and his hands were shaking. He sat there proudly sporting his Combat Veteran hat and I could tell many years ago he would have been a strong, tough man. His skin had faded tattoo's of anchors and women that age was slowly erasing.
My wife sat there playing with our daughter and I walked over to him and reached out my hand and said "I just wanted to thank you for your service, I noticed your hat."
He looked up from his magazine and his hands stopped shaking, he shook my hand firmer then I would have thought possible at his age and just smile at me.
As he let go of my hand he said "Young man, would you be interested in hearing a story?"
I smiled back and immediately said "Yes! I would love to."
I sat next to him and he told me stories about being in the Navy during world war 2, and of all the things he had seen and things he wished he hadn't.
He talked for over an hour and I soaked up every word, but eventually as all things do it had to end. A small man stood at the door and was announcing our name, it was time for our appointment.
I said goodbye to him and shook his hand again. I really wish I could have sat there all afternoon with him, but the brief time we spent talking I will remember fondly.
No matter how long its been since someone served, I think it is important to say thank you any opportunity you get.
