We took Nick to the airport Sunday and sent him back to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He landed safetly and called us from base to say all is well. But something happened at the airport that really caught my interest. Nick was wearing his uniform and as we walked through the terminal I kept hearing “thank-you.” It’s so busy and loud I didn’t make a connection until about the third one when I spotted Nick nodding his head to the person. Then it dawned on me that they were thanking him.  He said it happens all the time. I was pleased and surprised and proud all at once. They were actually thanking my son. I wondered if he realizes how important that is. As we continued to walk I made it a point to notice people’s reaction as we passed them. One man clearly said thank you for your service. And all the while Nick just acknowledged them with a smile or a nod. I thought it was really cool. We continued to walk toward his gate and were passing one of those moving walkways. It was moving in the opposite direction of us. Nick was on my left so I was watching people in that direction to see how many more would say something to him. But out of the corner of my eye, I could see something that I won’t forget soon. It happened fast but it was unmistakable. As we strolled past the moving walkway there was a little girl. She was no more than 6 or 7 years old and she could barely see about the handrail.  But she was facing us as she rode by. And as she passed she was saluting. She didn’t say a word. She just glided past with her little hand on her forehead.

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