Thanks

I thought with this being Memorial Day, it would be a good time for this entry. Many thanks to those who serve and the strong families behind them.  

“Don’t you want to bring your Mess Dress for formal night?” I asked as we were packing for our recent cruise. “No, I don’t think there’s room,” he answered, “Besides, I’ll feel weird about it, like I’m trying to get attention or something. I’d rather just wear my new suit.”

For those that don’t know, “mess dress” is the formal version of my husband’s uniform. When he first got it, we laughed quite a bit because it has epaulets and he looks a bit like a missing cast member from Master and Commander with Russell Crowe (made even funnier as it is not a Navy uniform). Plus, on a recent deployment he had a few suits custom made. (Apparently it’s quite affordable to buy custom suits in certain countries.)

I knew the main reason he didn’t want to bring his mess dress was that he was looking forward to having a place to wear his new suits. We were also flying out for this cruise (because it was Alaska) which is something we usually don’t have to do so luggage space was scarce… But he rarely wears his uniform of any kind when he doesn’t have to. Why? I think he just feels awkward from the attention.

I asked him about it once and he said, “I think it’s a great thing for the enlisted guys to do. They deserve the attention and people offering to buy them a beer for their hard work.” He mentioned that as an officer, he just feels weird. He doesn’t mind using the military discounts, he’s just quiet about it. Whenever someone thanks him for his service, he smiles and shakes their hand, and says something quiet like “yeah” or “sure”. He doesn’t talk a lot about his service, that’s just the way he is.  He’s never been the show off… That was always me:)

Although, I will say, I understand it. Sometimes people will thank me too and it is weird. It’s not that I don’t appreciate it… It’s just that I don’t really do anything. Ok, I complain… Kind of a lot… but otherwise, I don’t do much. Plus, sometimes the military will have just done something to really tick me off and I’ll stand there trying to look grateful and attempting to refrain from going into one of my rants like I do on here.

I’ve found over the past few years that military members seem to appreciate the acknowledgement but are very humble. These are people who don’t do this job for the thanks or the money.

This weekend, while you’re at a BBQ with family and friends, just take a moment to remember why that is. Once again, thanks to all who serve or have served.