Thank You For Your Service

I have seen an outpouring of this sentiment over the past few weeks.  I was embarrassed over the weekend by my friends and colleagues when I was recognized as about to deploy to Afghanistan at the local arena league football game, and had to stand up in front of thousands(okay maybe hundreds, it's the Fairbanks Grizzlies after all) and I turned a nice shade of pink after a round of applause from the crowd. 

I have been thanked countless times while wearing my uniform, and people have even paid for coffee or picked up a dinner or lunch tab for me. 

All of these things are nice, but I have to let you all in on a little secret:

It really makes me uncomfortable.  Like, really, really uncomfortable.  I usually mumble a 'you're welcome' and then stammer a 'thank you' back to them.

I am sure there are people who like that sort of attention.  They probably star in films and get their shirtless picture in magazines(sorry Matthew), but for me, a proper sense of how many people are out there that are making bigger sacrifices than me and have done more important work than I have makes me unworthy of that sort of recognition.

A healthy perspective is important, and that is probably what motivates people to thank soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors for their service.  And because of that, I will continue to say you're welcome and thank you awkwardly to anyone who is nice enough to buy my coffee for me.  It's why I now pick up the tab for young soldiers I see who probably feel that same uneasy sense of gratitude that I have awkwardly tried to convey over the past few sentences.

Happy Easter to all and to all a good night.