Thanks Mike

I woke up today wondering what I would write about. Our society, as we have known it, is under direct assault by an out-of-control, completely ideological, power hungry Federal Government led by Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. It’s an incredible barrage coming from every angle and on every front , simultaneously. So my big dilemma was, where should I start?
I decided I would be more creative without the gurgling distractions coming from my gut. There is a Dairy Queen about a block away so, I took a shower, got dressed and left my motel room to pursue lunch and collect my thoughts.


As I’m walking down the sidewalk getting ready to pass the bank, about a dozen or so employees came running out and gathered along front of the parking lot facing the main road through town. They all had huge smiles on their faces and were laughing despite the bitter cold. One of them was carrying a full sized American Flag. Each of the others was holding a smaller American Flag in one hand and a piece of paper with a large single letter on it in the other hand. They all scrambled to get into their respective order as I stopped in front of them to see what was going on. After a couple of initial misspellings, they finally lined up in the proper order so that their letters formed the words “THANKS MIKE”.


When I asked what this was all about, one of the ladies told me that Mike was coming home from Afghanistan. Another one asked me if I was Mike. Apparently, they didn’t even know him.
I looked down the street and saw numerous fire trucks and police cars lining up with a bunch of pick-up trucks and automobiles behind them. Just then a truck pulling a hay-wagon came by with a huge tarp stretched across a wooden frame. In large letters on the tarp were the words “Welcome Home Mike”


I got a lump in my throat as I heard the sirens begin and the convoy of emergency vehicles started to move down the street. I stood there silent as they passed by me. Immediately behind the Fire Trucks was a red Ford pick-up with a man in Camo behind the wheel. As the truck started past me I saluted with my right hand. When the driver made eye contact with me, I held my left thumb in the air. In the seat next to him was a pretty young lady with a beaming smile. She looked so happy to have her man back.


I was captured by the emotion of the moment. I stood there giving thanks to God for not only for his safe return, but for the courage he had to serve our Country in the first place. As the tears began to stream out from under my sunglasses, I just became overwhelmed with a sense of pride and gratitude. I felt proud and inspired not only because of Mike and our other soldiers, but also because of the total strangers who took a minute of their day to honor him.


It’s impossible to express how much I was moved by all of this. Five minutes before, I was walking down the street thinking of how depressing our current political situation is. Five minute afterwards, I was having my lunch, still teary-eyed, filled with hope knowing that there are plenty of great Americans out there and that we shall overcome.


Thanks Mike. May God bless you, because you were my blessing today!