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Health & Fitness

Community Update

A Simple “Thank You” During This
Holiday Season Will Suffice



Please
permit me to ruminate (I like that word) on a practice by some people that
really irks me.  I’m referring to the
practice or lack thereof that some people never acknowledge simple gestures
such as one holding the door, sending a birthday or new birth gift or an
anniversary gift. Or how about when someone accidently jostles you in a store
and does not offer an apology.  Somehow
in our society we have lost the art of civility.  People don’t take the time to send out “thank
you’s” or even utter the words, “sorry” or “excuse me”.  Maybe it’s a sign of my age but I think we
are raising a society of rude and crude youth. 
In that regards, perhaps it’s time for the schools to start teaching a
course in manners and societal deportment!



Having said
that I like to occasionally receive a simple “thank you” for something I have
done, I think during this Holiday Season we should turn the tables a bit and bestow
a hearty thanks to another segment of our population that at times does not
receive enough “thank you’s”.   I’m
speaking of the men and women in our armed forces.  November 11 marks Veteran’s Day – a day to
honor the brave men and women who have defended our liberties.  There will be gatherings on this day as we,
as a nation, celebrate the dedication of our troops from skirmishes long ago
and from recent battles.  If you have an
opportunity it will brighten your day to attend one of these events and shake
the hand of one of our heroes. 

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In
addition, over the next couple of months many of the current men and women in
the armed forces will be returning home to their families for the
holidays.  So if you encounter any of
these brave soldiers take a moment and thank them for their dedication to our
country.  It will put a smile on their
face and you will know that you are acknowledging a person who has devoted
their life to protecting our way of life.



Each time
my wife Mary and I travel to visit our grandchildren in St. Louis we stop at a
hotel on the outskirts of Indianapolis. 
As it turns out, this hotel is a gathering place every day for young men
who have enlisted in the Marines and are awaiting assignment to boot camp.  Just interacting with them on their final day
before departing for their new life is invigorating and inspiring and we look
forward to our next trip so we can thank these dedicated men – they are all
very young but their commitment to our nation certainly qualifies them to be
called “men”!

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So over the
next couple of months when you encounter any of the men and women in uniform
give them a simple “thank you” and a smile. 
And guess what?  I’ll bet you get
a hearty “thank you” in return from them because they have not lost their sense
of civility like so many in our country!



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