I received a blessing

[Lowdown3]

Yesterday we went to the "big city" for a number of reasons, one of which was to pick up a relative at the airport. I got there early and went to a pub I like that has good food.

A fellow came in and sat, asked me how long the wait was there. I told him I wasn't sure, only have been here a couple times but the food is good, etc.

I'll sit at the bar often times to avoid having to wait for a table. I guess I'm a little impatient.

So this guy get's carded for a SWEET TEA (don't ask me why??) and he's not even 21. He kinda looked military but he wasn't wearing fatigues, Class A's, etc. Within a few minutes two other guys came in that seemed to know him and sat near him. I listened and sure enough they were military.

I offered to buy them all drinks, got the "oh that's not necessary" etc. told them how proud I was of them and that it was the least I could do, God Bless them, etc.

Struck up a conversation with one of the guys, oddly enough named Robert also, who was into a lot of the same martial arts I was. After talking for a while I asked him where they all had been deployed to. I could tell the reluctance in his voice as he lowered his voice and said "Guantanamo Bay." I smiled and told them again how proud everyone was of them, etc.

As I ate I thought about this. These guys probably have the worst duty station because of the political issues regarding gitmo. In the wrong circle, saying that they were at Gitmo might have brought them a lot of grief.

These guys were all 19 to 22'ish, all still pretty young, yet had likely experienced a lot in the last few years of their life. I asked them about how military life had changed with Obama and the consensus was that it was for the worse, not for the better. Two of the guys left fairly early but "Robert" stayed and I talked with him for quite some time. I bought them all dinner, drinks, etc. and told them all that we were proud of them. I didn't catch the two other names, but the Lord knows who they are. I'll be praying for them as well as Robert from Los Angeles, enjoying a couple weeks leave with his family.

I got such a blessing from hanging out with these guys for a while. May the Lord watch over them all, especially those guys at Gitmo.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Thats is a blessing and for them too. Hearing that folks still appreciate what they are doing even though unpopular in the mainstream media is a blessing. I coulda used that once myself when forced to wear a blue helmet. I looked at it as a blessing though because I knew we would be watching out for American interest despite the unpopular times just as these fine troops will be doing I'm sure especially now that they have been reassured! Thanks for being supportive of them and their mission!

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

I always try and thank the military when I see them in public. I always tell them thank-you for their service to our Country.

In my job, I have contact with several active and retired military. I can usually get most of them out of their shell and ask them what they think of their current Commander in Chief...well, let's just say, most of the time it's not very flattering.

[rockriver]

thank you for the post and the story.
another reminder to ask our Father to protect these men and women who serve.
rr