<p>My son's @ the Naval Academy Prep School, and the entire batallion is on a trip to NYC. Husband juggled a business trip to be there, and was able to take our NAPSter and his roommate, in uniform, to a pretty expensive dinner at the Red Eye Grill. </p>
<p>When my husband asked for the check, the waiter said, "Someone has taken care of it, sir."</p>
<p>Can't quite ID the emotion that chokes me up about this.</p>
<p>(Son called later to say as the batallion stood in line for "The Producers" -- now starring Tony Danza -- Danza's limo pulled up. He jumped out to shake a bunch of NAPS hands before his performance. Nice, huh?)</p>
<p>I have chills reading this NCM............and tears in my eyes & lump in my throat too. Hearing stories like yours, reaffirms my faith in the innate goodness of human kind. Thank you for sharing.</p>
<p>This happened to my son and 5 other plebes at Maria's in Annapolis. Maria's is a wonderful Italian restaurant in DTA near the City Dock, but it's a bit on the pricey side (going to this particular restaurant is a rare treat since Plebes don't have much money). When they finally asked for the check, the server told them that the check and tip had been taken care of. I can only imagine how much that bill was. Since then, my husband and I have tried to returned the favor whenever we're out and see a table of Plebes.</p>
<p>Love this story and this thread!!! It makes me feel much better about the state of "things". The JROTC stories from CA, those about the ROTC on the elite campuses, and so on had me pretty saddened.
And, unfortunately, my parents recently experienced something that had us shedding tears for reasons opposite of your own. Parents live in same area as Fort Campbell Army Base. Had stopped for gas and mother noticed a uniformed soldier who had done the same. She walked over to him and told him how much we appreciated his service to our country, how proud we were of all of them, etc. His response: "Thank you very much, ma'am. That is good to hear and I really appreciate it. We never know anymore what people are going to come up and say to us while we're in uniform."
Very sad IMO. No matter where one stands politically, on the war, etc, our soldiers never deserve less than our utmost appreciation and respect!</p>
<p>Don't believe my son has yet to pay for a meal in an airport. The uniform gets him a lot of attention although I know he can't wait till the day when he can travel in civies. People really do appreciate those who serve!</p>
<p>My husband just told me while traveling this week a young man boarded a plane that just finished basic. A lady in first class offered her seat saying how much she appreciated his service. Since the soldier would not take the seat the lady sent a drink back to him instead. There are many greatful people just too much liberal media.</p>
<p>Don't make this a liberal/conservative thing. You just polluted the good feeling here. I studiously thank soldiers I see in public and consider myself liberal. And don't consider the media particularly liberal, just cranky and sensationalist. Don't claim that all feelings of patriotism and care for our soldiers are on one side of the political spectrum or the other, please.</p>
<p>It seems these days that when one runs out of something productive to say, it is just as easy to blame the media. I agree, what does that throw-away line have to do with this discussion? [Let's see, would it be something along the lines of: "The media refuses to publish enough good stories in the news" or something like that. Disregarding, for example, the excellent ABC News story about their man of the week who has greeted homecoming troops on 300 days in the previous year!]</p>
<p>I apologize for my part in helping lead this happy thread into a political one-I did not mean to do so. I feel as strongly about my politics as the next person but, other than ill feelings, I don't think much is accomplished in discussing politics in these forums. Of course, for those who feel differently, there are certainly plenty of political forums available.
So, please, continue to share the positive stories! I truly love seeing them especially since my son will soon be part of the uniformed ranks.</p>
<p>Ok then, one more. We are looking for some items in Walmart -- trying to find a whole bunch of things. Son with two friends - all in uniform being 4-digs. A salesman practically runs over, asks a ton of questions about aircraft and such (they know quite a bit thanks to knowledge tests!), tells a great story about his dad who served, and then treats they cadets as if they were royalty (and that felt pretty good considering they are not exactly treated like that in their first year back at the zoo!! ;) )</p>
<p>Nickinest, stop. You did no such thing. You simply reminded us to thank those in service whenever we get the chance. Thank you for that.</p>
<p>I should add that when my NAPS son came home for Christmas, he wasn't in uniform, but a classmate was. That kid was pulled out of his seat and sent to 1st class by a stranger who INSISTED on a switch. </p>
<p>Sad to say, son's prior-enlisted friends discourage him from traveling in uniform. They claim (and I'm not owning this idea -- just passing it on) that they've been told in the event of major problems, like hijacking, it's not a good thing to be ID'd as military. It literally makes me sick that these kids have to consider these issues. What a world. Guess all we can do is try to make it better. </p>
<p>And thank you, BedHead, for discouraging the liberal/conservative thing. We're a blue house in the bluest part of a blue state. And we're all in this together.</p>
<p>The only time my son was told not to travel in uniform was when he was going overseas for spring break. I think that's standard procedure these days</p>
<p>I remember asking my WP son about traveling in uniform. I believe he told me that they were not to travel in uniform (unless for an official WP event) for security reasons. He also told me that WP cadets don't want to be recognized for what others have done while they are in "college" (my words, but explains the point he was trying to make). He also stated he knows his time will come.</p>
<p>I apologize for this leading to anything negative. I REALLY did not intent that at all. I live in an area where having military personnel in the schools to act as reading mentors is bashed by many parents. When I read that someone in uniform did not know what to expect when approached by someone I found that really sad. My S has taken alot of flack from wanting to be in the military. I vented my fustration at the wrong place (you would have to read my local newpaper to appreciate were I am coming from). Keep the good stories coming it helps to build me up knowing there are people out there that care.</p>