A few years ago at a Pizza Hut in Dulles Airport I witnessed a travelin' soldier try to use a voucher and get rejected by the person behind the counter. It took a minute for me to digest what had just occurred and by then the soldier had made his way down the corridor. When I caught up to him, my attempt to talk and pull out money at the same time ended up with him helping me to pick up the entire contents of my purse off the floor. All the while I was thanking him for his service to our country and offering to pay for his pizza. After kindly declining my money and asking for directions to another concourse, he walked away.
For years, I had spent a lot of time staring at soldiers on planes and trains. Never lucky enough to be seated next to one, I could only say, "thank you for serving our country," as I intentionally walked by their seats. I yearned for an in-depth conversation, wondering if they were going back to serve or coming home for good? What was it like on the front lines? Were they scared? And selfishly hoping that there was something I could do to help them right then and there in addition to supporting Operation Shoebox or A Million Thanks.
Now that I had a chance to lend a helping hand in person, I could not let the soldier just walk away. There was a hungry hero wandering around Dulles Airport and the least I could do was feed him. I decided to keep a good distance until I could make my move right as he got up to the next counter to present the voucher. But he did not go directly to another food outlet. He stopped to use the restroom and I stopped and hid at the magazine stand 50 feet away. When he exited the restroom and headed straight to the magazine rack, I had to do my best Agent 99 impersonation and hide in the candy aisle until he was finished browsing. I quickly purchased the Car and Driver magazine that he had flipped through and continued following him for more than half an hour. I watched as several people stopped to shake his hand, I observed as he almost walked into TGI Friday's and for some reason decided not to, and I continued to spy on him as the same thing played out at Burger King. When he sat down a couple of times and stared into space, I wondered if he was reliving painful battle memories. Finally he walked up to a food cart and picked up a sandwich and bag of chips and I knew my stealth operation through two concourses was about to pay off. I sauntered up right behind him just in time to hear the cashier say, "Of course we accept it." Though the opportunity to feed him was gone, I was still on a mission to give something back to this young man who was giving up his best years to ensure my safety. I gently tapped his shoulder and asked, "Excuse me, would you like this Car and Driver?" When he turned and accepted my seemingly out-of-the-blue offer, I almost had to stop myself from squealing. I didn't get his name, rank, or destination, but our brief interaction changed my life.
Today, my stalking consists of actively searching
for men and women in green fatigues at airports and train stations. I
sit down next to them and try to have meaningful conversations -
letting each of them know that their bravery is appreciated. Inside I
cringe when I consider their fate - that one day their parents may get
that dreaded knock at the door or the person sitting next to me may
come home without a limb. Outwardly, I let these courageous men and
women know that their sacrifice will not be forgotten. I ask them about
their family, why they enlisted, their plans for when they get out, and
what they think about the war. Most of all I listen. The bulk of them
are Privates or PFC's, but several have been Sergeants and Staff
Sergeants. I offer gum, candy bars and meals and in return get a
glimpse into their lives. Sadly, a recurring theme is that they do not
think the average American cares about them.
Six years ago, the 9/11 terrorists started a chain of events that have led us to where we are now. A decision was made to go to war. It was made by the President and Vice President, by Republican and Democratic members of Congress, by the media and the American people, by those who voted and the 100 million who did not, by people in red states and blue states. For or against this war, we are all responsible for the fate of the soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.
To all my activist, blogger, and pundit friends who are buzzing about General Petraeus' report, annoyed with Republicans demanding Democrats to renounce MoveOn.org, and ripping into President Bush for erroneously shifting the message to drawing down, I hope that the next time you have a few minutes to spare before a flight, you try "stalking" a traveling soldier - listening to what he thinks about the war and thanking him for his service to our country - it's a voucher we can all redeem.
