My Heartwarming trip to Macy's.

[DawnCt1]

I had some errands to do today, so I grabbed DH's black nylon jacket with the fleece lining that happens to have ARMY in big bright yellow letters across the back. One of my stops was Macy's. I got in line to get my Clinique free gift for a $21.50 purchase. In line in front on me was a tiny, white haired elderly woman buying make up and moisturizer. Behind me was her husband sitting patiently on a stool at the counter behind me. I glanced over and he gave me a big thumbs up, and I knew in an instant it was the Army jacket that caught his attention. I walked over to talk to him while waiting my turn. He was the youngest in his battalion on Saipan. He joined in 1941 and stayed of course for the duration of the war. He did not think he would ever come home because they were planning the invasion of Japan. At one point there was a two story pile of medical supplies instead of the usual food and combat supplies that usually took its place. The war ended of course with the dropping of the bomb. He said, 'that meant we could go home and grow old'. I had tears in my eyes just listening. He told me that he was 90. I told him that he didn't look a day over 65. He then pointed to his wife and said, "She's 91". I teased him about marrying an older woman. He laughed and then off they went.

 

[happygirl]

I love post like these.

 

[SKWDW]

I had some errands to do today, so I grabbed DH's black nylon jacket with the fleece lining that happens to have ARMY in big bright yellow letters across the back. One of my stops was Macy's. I got in line to get my Clinique free gift for a $21.50 purchase. In line in front on me was a tiny, white haired elderly woman buying make up and moisturizer. Behind me was her husband sitting patiently on a stool at the counter behind me. I glanced over and he gave me a big thumbs up, and I knew in an instant it was the Army jacket that caught his attention. I walked over to talk to him while waiting my turn. He was the youngest in his battalion on Saipan. He joined in 1941 and stayed of course for the duration of the war. He did not think he would ever come home because they were planning the invasion of Japan. At one point there was a two story pile of medical supplies instead of the usual food and combat supplies that usually took its place. The war ended of course with the dropping of the bomb. He said, 'that meant we could go home and grow old'. I had tears in my eyes just listening. He told me that he was 90. I told him that he didn't look a day over 65. He then pointed to his wife and said, "She's 91". I teased him about marrying an older woman. He laughed and then off they went.

What a nice story, it gave me goose bumps. Thanks Dawn!

 

[4nana]

Thx for sharing Dawn. Bless his heart, I'm betting your kindness and consideration made his day!!

Love hearing these stories and so appreciate our dedicated military and Vets.

I try to thank all those I see in uniform, plus any I know have served our great country. It does make a difference.

 

[FINFAN]

My Dad served on Saipan.....34th corp of Engineers,entered October of '42, discharged 2 days after Christmas, '45... he was an armed Medic. He sadly just passed on Christmas Day, but had a beautiful military burial with honors. I think he would have liked running into you at Macy's as well.

 

[DawnCt1]

My Dad served on Saipan.....34th corp of Engineers,entered October of '42, discharged 2 days after Christmas, '45... he was an armed Medic. He sadly just passed on Christmas Day, but had a beautiful military burial with honors. I think he would have liked running into you at Macy's as well.

Your father had a very dangerous job, being a medic. Interestingly enough, this man was telling me that the Japanese purposefully and intentionally targeted medics because they knew that is who preserved the forces. He also told me that the European War (WWII) was called the 'civilized" war because the Japanese took no wounded prisoners. The wounded were shot on the spot. I was in Macy's for a while.
This man was so sweet. He had rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes and a great smile.

 

[DawnCt1]

Thx for sharing Dawn. Bless his heart, I'm betting your kindness and consideration made his day!!

Love hearing these stories and so appreciate our dedicated military and Vets.

I try to thank all those I see in uniform, plus any I know have served our great country. It does make a difference.

Me too! If there is anyone who wants to talk to me, I am happy to listen, particularly if they are elderly. It not only brightens their day to be able to talk but it sure brightens mine as well.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

That was so nice of you to chat with the veteran. You both benefitted from the experience. It was a pleasure to read.

 

[Mommyto2Princesses]

thanks for sharing! I, too, now have goosebumps!

 

[honugirl]

I love talking to WW2 vets. The one that runs the VFW program that I volunteer with is 84. He was a machine gunner. Man, he's awesome! We love him. He's like a grandpa to all of us.

 

[FINFAN]

Your father had a very dangerous job, being a medic. Interestingly enough, this man was telling me that the Japanese purposefully and intentionally targeted medics because they knew that is who preserved the forces. He also told me that the European War (WWII) was called the 'civilized" war because the Japanese took no wounded prisoners. The wounded were shot on the spot. I was in Macy's for a while.
This man was so sweet. He had rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes and a great smile.

Yep,sadly, that is EXACTLY right, he was an armed medic for a reason, and fortunately, expert marksman status. In the last few years before my dad passed, he was sharing a few things here and there, he and my DS who is a nut over Military History would talk...horrific what these guys hav ebeen thu...horrific.

 

[Kim&Chris]

What a wonderful story...thanks

 

[mlittig]

Thanks for sharing such a sweet story

 

[DawnCt1]

Last week I was leaving Stop and Shop and an elderly man was getting into his car. His license plate indicated that he was a POW. As he drove by, I thanked him for his service. He smiled and waved. It only takes a second to show someone that you appreciate them.

 

[Rora]

What a sweet story! Sometimes it's the little things like this that really brighten our days.

Gotta love our Vets too!

 

[MinnieMe87]

Great story Dawn!! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[friend of pooh]

Last week I was leaving Stop and Shop and an elderly man was getting into his car. His license plate indicated that he was a POW. As he drove by, I thanked him for his service. He smiled and waved. It only takes a second to show someone that you appreciate them.

And that 2nd means so much to them. My grandfather fought in WWII and the Korean war....Landed on the beach on D-day...whole 9 yards. A few years before he passed away, my mom took him to DC to see the WWII memorial. While he was there, there was a hs field trip there also. Several hs boys came over to him (he always wore a WWII veteran baseball cap), shook his hand, and thanked him. He was thrilled that the young kids did that. Sure do miss "fighting the war" with him each time we were all together.

 

[tinkerfan1]

Thanks for sharing. I thoroughly enjoy listening to stories from older people like this. It means so much to them to be able to share them, too. How special.

 

[DawnCt1]

And that 2nd means so much to them. My grandfather fought in WWII and the Korean war....Landed on the beach on D-day...whole 9 yards. A few years before he passed away, my mom took him to DC to see the WWII memorial. While he was there, there was a hs field trip there also. Several hs boys came over to him (he always wore a WWII veteran baseball cap), shook his hand, and thanked him. He was thrilled that the young kids did that. Sure do miss "fighting the war" with him each time we were all together.

My FIL was in five major battles with the Marines, from Roi Namur, Kwajalan, Saipan, Tinain, Iwo Jima, and five or six small islands. All six Marine divisions were going to go in, in Operation Olympic, the invasion of Japan. He was sent back to Camp Pendleton for OCS because they had lost so many officers. While he was there, they dropped the bomb. They truly were the greatest generation and those years were the highlight of his life; saving the world from Imperialism. He passed away several years ago. I can still picture him wearing his Iwo Jima baseball hat. A cousin of DH just returned from Pearl Harbor and SWEARS that she saw him in footage at the end of the new movie. I told DH to call Pearl Harbor. Good reason to return to Hawaii!

 

[Yankeemouse]

God bless our vets, and those who are currently serving, as well as their families. Thank you all!!