A soldier I will never forget

While shopping at the local Walmart this past Friday the 13th, I met a very special young man I will never forget. He was wearing United States Airforce fatigues and I walked up to him and said thank you for protecting us. His response, which took me completely off guard, was “No ma'am, thank you. It's my pleasure.” I walked away without saying a word because I did not want him to see the tears forming in my eyes.

We are so lucky to have soldiers like this young man protecting us and our country. They are thrust into harms way all the time, faced with horrific attacks and combat situations in far off countries of which the inhabitants are so quick to spit in their faces and condemn their presence. If captured, they are tortured and brutalized in ways that are only shown in horror movies. And our soldiers are not only at risk in other countries. They are also vulnerable here at home. This was proven at Fort Hood where the enemy was walking amongst them. Yet here is this young man that despite all the risks he is faced with utters “it's my pleasure”.

I encourage all who is reading to take just a moment of your time to thank our service men and women whenever you can. I do not know the name of the young man I met or where he comes from, but I will never forget him. We are blessed to have these protectors serving us and I pray for each one's health and safe return home. I hope all of you will do the same.