« Youngest is 6 | Main | Quote Of The Day »

June 04, 2007

M.A.D. Money

We celebrated Youngest's birthday at a local hamburger joint called Kincaids. Instead of having a party with a bunch of kids, we invite the Grandparents and some family friends. We always buy lunch for everyone. For many reasons it works out great for us.

With Youngest picking a restaurant that only takes cash, we were prepared with excessive amounts of cash to ensure we could pay for 16 people. Yikes! But it worked out and we had the lowest Birthday tab ever. That left some money in our pockets.

I was reminded that Kincaids was a favorite spot for the Air Force Reserve Base when 6 airmen came in for lunch. I quickly walked over to my husband and asked if he wanted to buy their lunch for them. We rushed up to the front and I got there just as the first Airman was handing over his money. I said "Wait! Don't do that!!!!" They looked at me like I was crazy. "We want to buy your lunch." My husband added "We are buying for all 6 of them." They protested and we insisted.

As they each placed their order one of them asked us "Why are you doing this? Do you like our uniforms?" I can't remember exactly what I said, but something along the line of "We want to show you our appreciation for what you do..." But I think what I am typing sounds much better than what I said. I bumbled with my words and really had to control myself because I could tell I was on the verge of tears. (I am crying now as I type this.) There really was not a good way for me to express to them my gratitude for what they do. And as I look back I think of other ways I could have said it better. It was the best $40 we spent in a long time.

As they were leaving they thanked us again and then gave us a coin from their squadron. I knew from my Mom's experience in Civil Service that coins are a big thing in the military. So now it was our turn to protest, but they insisted.

From now on when we go to Kincaids I am going to get extra cash. I can call it M.A.D. money. Military Appreciation Dispensation. It was great to be able to thank our military in person and I can't wait until I get to do it again.

Posted by on June 4, 2007 08:13 PM |

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://blog.mu.nu/cgi/trackback.cgi/214841

Comments

My in-laws, who met when serving in the chairborne during WWII used to do this. My wee wifey has such strong memories from her childhood of this practice that mention of Paul Bunyan brings to mind Naval recruits at a pancake restaurant rather than a giant lumberjack.

Posted by: triticale | June 14, 2007 04:25 PM