Over the past 10 years I have been to many areas of the country and have experienced a great deal of support for the troops and their families, but here in the Northwest it’s different. Yes, there is a lot of support for the troops here in Washington, but when compared with other places or cities I have visited, the Northwest in general needs a lesson on citizenship and how to express gratitude.
My son recently met a neighbor from years past and was asked what he and his brother had been doing. As a U.S. Marine, my son did three tours in Iraq and experienced the horrors of war; his brother is a pilot and will deploy in 2012. The response from this person was insulting and harassing, but in their mind they were only trying to debate the merits of the war and probably meant no ill will; still it was painful.
As the parent of two U.S. Marines, I want to let everyone know that the proper and polite way to thank a member of the military is to simply say, “Thank you for your service.” I want to express my profound sorrow to the parents who have lost a loved one; that was my worst fear each day I went to work, as I heard the number of KIA on the radio knowing I still had to go to Boeing, and go home.
On Veterans Day no one has to say a word to a vet, but if you want to say something, don’t debate, just say, “Thank you for your service.”
Charles Farmer
Snohomish
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