“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — John F. Kennedy
I am unsure where the story came from, but as a veteran myself (21 years Navy), I love the story and the sentiment behind it. It is not my own, but I love positive stories of the men and women who have served my country and this is really a great one.
The rest of this is the story that is written as I received it.
it’s a story about one of the soldiers in this picture with Ann Margaret and what happened years later when he met her. It will take you about one minute to read it. Here’s the rest of the post:
Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Vietnam, other than a sniper had shot him.
However, he had a slightly grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.
A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore.
Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo, so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o’clock for the 7:30 signing.
When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage.
Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.
Richard was disappointed but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI’s so far from home.
Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever, and, as second in line, it was soon Richard’s turn.
He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo.
When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, “I understand. I just wanted her to see it.”
She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes, and she said, “This is one of my gentlemen from Vietnam, and I most certainly will sign his photo.
I know what these men did for their country, and I always have time for ‘my gentlemen.”
With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him.
She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them.
There weren’t too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear.
She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.
That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet.
I’ll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.
Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he’d like to talk about it, my big, strong husband broke down in tears, “That’s the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army,” he said.
I now make it a point to say ‘Thank you’ to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces.
Freedom does not come cheap, and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.
If you’d like to pass on this story, feel free to do so.
Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.
— Wife of Vietnam War Veteran.
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