Americans Being Kind to Americans

I shared this experience I had on  Facebook, and thought I would share it here.  It touched me deeply.

Americans being kind to Americans. 
It is still there. 

I went to get a famous Coffee Pot sandwich at the store on Broadway. In Bangor, Maine. While in line, a very old man went up to the counter, held up three work-worn fingers and said, "I want three super deluxes with salami!" 

I could tell that this was an event for him.  A treat. He had another man with him, at the counter.  

The lady at the register told him how much the sandwiches would be.  The elderly man opened his wallet slowly, pulled some money out, along with a card which showed he was a veteran (for a veteran's discount). 

When the cashier saw the veteran's card, she said, "Aw, you're a veteran. Your sandwich is on me and you'll get the others with the discount. You're always helping other veterans."    (I didn't know this is a ritual for them).

At that point another customer said to the cashier, "Put his other two sandwiches on my order" and turned to the elderly veteran and said, "Thank you for your service."

The veteran and his friend had tears in their eyes.  They got their sandwiches and left.  The other person was waited on.  

When it was my turn to pay, I asked the lady at the cash register about the veteran.  She said, "He served in World War TWO.  He is always buying sandwiches for other vets.  So I buy his sandwich when he comes in." 

America being America.  
Kindness matters.  

It's still there.

2 comments:

Jan Conwell said...

I love this. Thank you for sharing it.

Sherri Farley said...

I love hearing these stories. I also think they happen more often than one would think. I'm from the heart of America (near Branson, Missouri) Here, we wave our flag proudly and support our Veterans with pride. Thanking a veteran for their service, a free meal, or cup of coffee is the norm around here. Makes me proud. Our son served in Iraq and I know what the sacrifice is. So, we always acknowledge a veteran. Thanks for sharing Dixie.


"Do not let what you cannot do
keep you from doing what you can do."

John Wooden