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Dear Abby: A loving father's thanks to a stranger (as published on June 7th, 2008)

DEAR ABBY: I am one of your many male readers. I have been up all night and need to put my thoughts down and thank someone for his act of kindness to my son.

My son, a U.S. infantry soldier, left yesterday for a 12-month deployment. After a tearful goodbye to me and to his young wife at the airport, he flew to Atlanta to join the other members of his unit for their flights overseas. He called me the evening he reached Atlanta and related this story:

He was eating a late dinner at a restaurant in the Atlanta airport. A man who appeared to be about 60 years old saw him show his military ID to the waitress when he ordered a drink with his meal. The man took my son's dinner check when he got up to leave, saying, "Let me buy a soldier a meal." When my son tried to politely refuse, the man insisted and said it was his way to thank him for what he was doing. Because Army privates don't make much money, my son was grateful. This act of kindness made a strong impression.

To that kind gentleman, I want you to know that this father is grateful, too. I sent my son into harm's way yesterday, and you, sir, a stranger, took care of him on his journey. You bought him a meal when I could not. Thank you, and God bless you. -- A SOLDIER'S GRATEFUL DAD

See that soldier in the airport snack bar having a cup of coffee and a sandwich?

Given the situation in the world today, you can figure out that he or she is almost certainly on the way to or from a combat zone... Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, or other international danger areas. Regardless of how you might view wars, we can agree on one thing: that soldier has volunteered to risk life and limb for the citizens of our country. And that means you and me. They deserve more than a pat on the back for their sacrifice (although that helps, too).

A simple idea for showing appreciation came through in a letter written to Dear Abby in June 2008. It was written by a father attempting to send his heartfelt thanks to a complete stranger who had seen his uniformed son in an airport restaurant. "Let me buy a soldier a meal," the stranger had said. That small act of kindness made a strong impression on the infantry soldier who was starting a year-long deployment. The grateful Dad wrote:

"I sent my son into harm's way yesterday, and you, sir, a stranger, took care of him on his journey. You bought him a meal when I could not. Thank you, and God bless you."

Hopefully the generous stranger had the chance to read this beautiful message. And that small gesture of covering a meal, a cup of coffee, or snacks for traveling soldiers should be repeated over and over again... by ordinary people like you and me. To honor the generous stranger, the grateful father, and the individuals putting their lives on the line.

So here's what's needed on a national level: when you see a soldier in a restaurant or coffee shop, call over the waiter or waitress and have them bring that soldier's bill to you. We all need to offer a relatively small, but tangible sign of support. A 'thank you' that both shows our appreciation and gives them a small break on the financial side. Because we all know one thing for sure, they didn't join the military for the money.

Most soldiers are travelling on a small budget and have to pinch pennies. For a few dollars you can boost their morale and ease their burden. When you think of it, what other small thing can you do that will have such a large impact?

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