STRANGER: Kindness is appreciated

I need to share a wonderful and uplifting experience that I recently had. I had made some purchases at Costco and had returned to my truck. A woman approached me and asked if I was a Vietnam veteran, to which I answered yes. I assumed that she had noticed the license plate holder on my truck that has Vietnam veteran on the plate holder.

The lady then thanked me for serving in the Vietnam conflict. She shared with me that her husband had also served in Vietnam. The lady went on to say that it was very sad how the Vietnam veterans were treated when they returned home. I agreed with her. We exchanged a few more remarks of how we thought things were changing. The Vietnam veterans are finally getting the thanks that they deserve for their service to their country.

I enjoyed the conversation very much and thought it was so nice of a complete stranger to go out of her way to offer thanks as she did. I am 80 years old and retired from the U.S. Army after serving my country for 20 years. Each morning that I put my feet on the floor I thank my heavenly father for giving me one more day.

In closing I would like to add that it would be a wonderful world we live in if there were more people in our society like the lady that I met in the Costco parking lot.

P.S. I have a wonderful wife; her name is Nancy.

BOBBY WELCH

U.S. Army, ret.