Jon and Leah were married only eight months when Jon’s deployment began in March, 2013. They tried to have computer chats every day when Jon got up in the morning, which would be around 10 pm when Leah was ready to go to bed. But their chats did not allow video, so they went for nearly eight months without seeing each other. That ended on Saturday, when Jon entered the Honolulu airport and Leah, tearful and trembling, collapsed into his arms.
Jon had departed from Baltimore 14 hours earlier that day. At the San Francisco airport a man wearing a pink shirt had noticed Jon’s uniform and engaged him in conversation. “I’d like to thank you for serving in the military and helping to keep our country safe.”
“I appreciate that.”
“May I ask where you are flying to,” the man continued.
“I’m stationed in Hawaii, but I haven’t been there since March. It will be nice to get back home.”
“Are you just now returning from deployment?”
Jon replied, “Yes, sir.”
“Well, let me thank you again for your service. We appreciate everything you have done, and it’s great to have you back.” With that he walked away.
An hour later the boarding procedures began. When Jon presented his ticket at the gate, the agent told him, “There’s been an adjustment to your flight—someone paid for your upgrade to First Class.”
Jon couldn’t believe it. For the five and one-half hour flight, the last leg of his 30-hr journey to come home, he didn’t have to cram his 6’3” body into economy seating. He relished the first-class service he received.
On this day to honor our vets, this writer wants to thank the man in the pink shirt for his thoughtfulness and generosity to her son-in-law, on his return from Afghanistan. Your kind deed will be remembered and talked about for a long time.
Here are other ways we can show our appreciation to the men and women who are serving overseas and to their families living apart from them. Click on the link provided to learn more.
First of all, today all National Parks offer FREE admission to everyone. Many restaurants and other venues are giving free meals and services to veterans today, November 11, as well. See the list here or check your local news websites.
Help provide helmet pads to troops in combat in order to prevent Traumatic Brain Injury. Helmet kits are $35 each.
Send a care package to troops who have requested books, DVDs, games, and relief supplies. Be sure to include a thank you note or word of encouragement.
Transfer your hotel rewards points to Fisher House Foundation’s “Hotels for Heroes” program, which provides free or low-cost accommodations to the families of veterans who are undergoing medical treatment.
Drive veterans to and from their appointments by joining the VA’s Volunteer Transportation Network.
Check the Salvation Army for their Veteran Affairs Services in your area.
Operation Give collects toys and school supplies for troops to distribute to local children in the areas where they are serving.
This holiday season, express your appreciation to our veterans, past and present, with a card containing a personal message or prayer, postmarked by December 1. (Six million have been delivered so far.)
You may also send a thank you email to troops through the USO website. Go to uso.org for other ways to donate and help.
The Wounded Warrior Project needs your tax-deductible donation to help injured vets and their families. You can make a one-time gift and receive a beautiful 2014 calendar or sign up to donate $19 each month and receive a WWP blanket.
Several Facebook sites welcome you to post encouragement and appreciation to families whose loved ones are deployed. One is OurDeployment: 101.
Finally, help a family in your neighborhood whose loved one is deployed by fixing them a meal, offering yard care, childcare, house cleaning, or transportation services to them. Find out what their needs are this holiday season.
One way Jon and Leah strengthened themselves emotionally during Jon’s deployment was through Scripture verses. Leah had typed out 229 encouraging Bible verses—one for each day she and Jon were separated. She cut them out, rolled each one up, and put them in a container. Every day, on opposite sides of the world, they both opened a Scripture verse to think about. God’s Word gave them instruction, hope, and comfort. Such as this from Exodus 15:2 – “The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” This practical resource helped Jon and Leah wait patiently, and they enjoyed seeing the number of verses in the container diminish as the days went by.
In September, when they faced the final 60 days of separation, they decided to recall 60 of their favorite memories about their courtship, wedding, and first eight months together. During their evening chats, they took turns relating a special event to reminisce about. Leah also blogged about how she got through this difficult period. Read it here.
On this Veteran’s Day we feel gratitude for all the people who have done their duty to keep America free and safe. And we say a prayer asking God to protect our troops, end terrorism, provide for people who are oppressed, and give us peace on earth.
Please leave your comment about a way you have chosen to support veterans and their families. Thank you.
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