Dear Veteran

Dear Veteran,

I see your eyes. They are filled with tears. I saw a little girl say thank you and I could sense your happiness, because it was so strong. You smiled and cried happy tears. I had time. I wanted to go to you and tell you how much I appreciate your service. You sat in the wheelchair. Your face buried in your hands as the little girl walks away. Your guardian grabs and starts to slowly wheel you away. Nobody else gives a second glance. I run up to you and grab you in a warm hug.

People stared, but suddenly everybody understood. Voices chorused together and said, "Thank you." You could hear the silence. It was that thick. Salty tears slid down my cheeks and they slowly made their way down others as well. We all cried together. The soldier was not able to cry anymore. He just smiled the jolliest smile that I had ever seen on an elderly man's creased face. Everybody smiled their brightest smile. We were enlightened by that day. I never saw that veteran again. Sadly, I heard that he had passed only a few days after that bright day when we all truly became one and said our thanks. I could see that everybody there and that wonderful day was inspired.

Now every time I see a veteran, I say my thanks. I would always pray for them. Many of them couldn't smile at me, but I knew that they had seen more things that I would see in a lifetime. It was amazing though, how that one choice I made changed that man forever. But I knew for sure that all this had happened because of that little girl. I don't know where she is now, or how she's living her life, but I pray for her and that wonderful soldier everyday. Dear veteran, I pray for you.