There Are Many Ways To Thank Our Veterans

Today I was able to do a good deed, and it didn't cost me a penny. It was a small deed to be sure, but it certainly made me feel good. I am not sharing this story to brag, but rather to remind everybody how lucky we are to live in America, and how lucky we are to have such a fine group of men and women who bravely defend our nation.

I get my hair cut at Fantastic Sams on Ann Arbor Road by the Kroger store. I have been going there since my move to Plymouth Township a few years ago. The two brothers who own this place are two of the nicest guys you ever want to meet. Their hair stylists are all friendly, and do a great job as well.

They give you a card when you go there, and punch it with every haircut you get. When you get five of them, you get a free bottle of shampoo, and when you get ten, you get a free haircut. Now I have received these cards many times, for many different things, and I usually lose them all, but for some reason, I have managed to keep this one.

Well, today I ended up with my tenth punch, which entitled me to a free haircut on my next visit. To be honest, I am more excited about managing to be able to hold on to the card for as long as it took to get all the punches than I am over the free haircut. Not that I don't appreciate the free haircut mind you, but I was just proud that a person with my organizational skills, or lack thereof, was able to actually hold on to something like that for so long without losing it.

So what does this have to do with our veterans? Well I happened to think of the free haircut I had coming the other day as I looked at the train wreck on top of my head. I knew I was going to get the "big punch" on my card, and I decided for whatever reason, I was going to use it to buy someone a haircut.

I really have no idea how that thought came to me, and to be honest, it has been a very long time since I last tried to figure out exactly how my mind works. Suffice it to say, I now just roll with things, and hope for the best. Of course when these things don't work out, I claim senility, which is an advantage that us older folks have every right to use, especially when it concerns decisions involving our kids. But I digress.

So, who to give a haircut to? Hmmm I didn't want to just sit there at the Fantastic Sams and approach a stranger asking them if they want a free haircut. That would seem kind of creepy. I didn't want to give to somebody person to person at all to be honest. In any event, I pondered this for awhile, and the idea came to me that I will use my card to buy a haircut for of our Veterans.

As I thought about it, I decided that it would be easy to give one of our Vets a free cut anonymously by dropping this thing into the hands of the two owners of Fantastic Sams. These guys always remember my name when I walk in, and I was sure that they would know a Vet or two, that are customers.

I was right about that, and they were nice enough to gladly agree to do this favor for me, and extend a very small gesture to let a Vet know that we all appreciate what they have done for us in serving our great country.

This didn't cost me one penny to do, and it reminds one of our Veterans just how grateful we all are for their service to our country.

There are so many ways to thank our Veterans, whether it be a contribution to Wounded Warriors, or buying a beer for a Vet at your local watering hole when you see one, or just a simple shake of the hand followed by a thank you, when you see them at the store, mall or hardware. I can now add haircut to my personal list. ;)

These folks do not seek recognition, and it's been my experience that they usually have an aw shucks kind of attitude when you take the time to thank them for their service. They never brag about their service, but always thank you for recognizing it. I think most of our Veterans like it though when somebody walks up and shakes their hand, and thanks them.

I know that there are some that think it is kind of corny, but a simple hand shake goes a long way, and it doesn't cost a thing to do. You'll put a smile on a Veteran's face, and it will also make you feel pretty good as well.

Our men and women defend our country every day of the year, and I think it is important for all of us to recognize their bravery throughout the year as well, and not just on the traditional holidays...