A Soldier, His Wife, And Their Service

--by bob.brunson, posted Jul 8, 2010

I had just entered the elevator on the third floor of the medical center after a simple check up. As I entered I noticed an old gentleman in a wheelchair with a little old lady behind him. I noticed his baseball cap with WWII on the front. Most likely, a veteran of World War Two, I assumed.

Just making small talk, I said, "so, you were in the big one." His answer stunned me. He said, "Yes, I went overseas a strapping young newlywed and I came back in this thing," slapping each side of the wheelchair with his hands.

I stared at him, looked at his wife, and the magnitude of what he said to me hit me like a ton of bricks. He married this woman, went to serve his country, was wounded and paralyzed and then returned to his wife and she stayed with him for all these years. Overcome with a combination of sadness and awe for the magnitude of his statement, I looked at him and said: "I know you probably don't hear this nearly enough, but I want to thank you for your sacrafice for me and our Country." I then looked at his wife and thanked her for her faithfulness to her husband. Then, even though I had never been in the military, I straightened myself and gave them both the best salute I could muster.

At that moment the elevator door opened, and I walked off on cloud nine and teary eyed, the woman pushed her husband out into the lobby, both of them were crying too. That 30 second encounter will stay with me the rest of my life and I hope they will recall my sincere gratitude.

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Posted by bob.brunson
Jul 8, 2010
Comments (13)

Readers Comments

oldgirl wrote: Thank you for your fabulous gesture. It is wonderful when someone acknowledges what our servicemen and women do/did for oiur country. In my case australia.

My husband is a veteran of the malaya, borneo and vietnam conflicts. I am very proud of him.

Zevelina wrote: A small act like this makes big moments.

bookworm58 wrote: I thank soldiers whenever i see them for their dedication to their work in the military and they appreciate it very much. I tell them to be safe whenever i find out they will be deployed and i will pray for them. It really touches their heart to know someone cares. I am lucky to have a few soldier pen pals and we enjoy our letters and emails back and forth. It is not much but i enjoy showing my thanks in every way that i can for the military that protect our usa.

Mary Flanagan Taylor wrote: My husband was in the army for eight years and was deployed several times. I was always independent, so when i married a soldier, had a child, and became somewhat of a "single mom," i found it hard to accept help.

Lakshmi wrote: Jackie,
There are millions of hearts praying to god and sending good wishes to your family and other military families like yourself. God will help us all. Love, lakshmi

Charlie wrote: I served in the military for more than 20 years and i cannot begin to tell you how much it means when someone says thank you for your service. I do it to all military (active and vets) and their families that i can identify; that you for being part of this wonderful movement. I know it meant a lot to both of them. May the lord bless them and you as well.

SIVALATHA wrote: It's really a good encouragement for them. It gives a lot of satisfaction for the great satisfaction done by them

A Non Ymous wrote: Being the wife of a retired navy man that served during the time saigon fell, i feel there is little that we can do to show appreciation, and just saying 'thank you'seems to hardly cover it for the sacrifice these families have made. I was able to make a small gesture awhile back when i saw a family come into the restaurant where i had stopped to grab a quick bite before heading home. The man was dressed in fatigues, and the woman and young boy was simply clothed. After they had ordered, i asked the waitress to allow me to pay their bill, and to write on their bill "thank you for your service. " i left shortly after, before they finished, of course. I just hope that this small token of my personal gratatude would let them know that america does think of her vets and their families. They have every right to be proud!

DebraE wrote: Being a military mom, your message touched my heart. It was so special of you to acknowledge to both the husband and wife.

I can only pray that someday there will be others out there, such as yourself, for our current military when they have served their time.

Saying a prayer for all our current and former military and their families.

Thanks for sharing this bob. !

Jackie wrote: Thank you for acknowledging to that dear couple that they have had a hard time as veteran and spouse. I am the wife of a disabled veteran, one who served 15 months in iraq during the 2007-2008 troop surge, came home healthy, but soon thereafter became very seriously ill resulting in tetraplegia, and i can tell you it is really difficult to accept such a major life change. I thank god every day for the strength and patience he grants us to see each other through.

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