November 11, 2010
Let me start by stating the obvious that my time at Applebees is never quite the highlight of my week. The running around until 2am, the being nice to people who are being rude to me, the messiness of bussing tables all contribute to the knot I get in my stomach every time I walk into that restaurant (my apologies for starting off on a negative note, but its the truth). This day was special, though. This day was about something way more than going to work. My boss talked about it for weeks, like a 5 year old preparing their Christmas list for Santa.
At first, I didn't understand what all the excitement was about. I was thinking that he was overplaying the whole idea and making Veterans Day out to be just as important as Christmas. What an asshole way of thinking. This day IS special. This day DOES mean a very lot. On my way to work I thought about it even more. I thought about Poppy, who served in WWII and fought for the freedom we have in this country. I thought about his younger brother, Joe, who did the same thing but didn't return home. I thought about my uncles and cousins who are now or have been in the service, and the sacrifices I know they made to serve America. I thought about all the friends I am lucky to have who have returned home or who are still overseas. I thought about how proud I am of each one of them. These brave souls have put their lives on the line to protect this country, and I love them all for it. I don't feel that I have the courage needed to do something so great, which makes me idolize them even more.
I showed up to work and circled the parking lot TWICE before finally finding a place to park. I knew the turnout would be great, but I didn't expect the volume of people that showed. There was a line out the door, an hour wait - all day! The place was packed - every table full! As I walked around with my camera looking for some interesting moments, I started to notice total strangers talking to each other, with a mutual respect in their eyes. I would walk by hearing converstaions between men and women swapping stories and reminiscing. That's when it really hit me, this was HUGE. I thought of everyone I knew, and all the people I was meeting that day, and had to keep my eyes from welling up (and not just because I cry over everything!). I was reminded of how important our country is, and how important out veterans are for protecting us.
Turns out, I don't think I've ever had so much fun at Applebees.
To all the brave men and women who have risked or given their lives to protect the land of the free and the home of the brave, THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU.
This man just looks so peaceful among all the madness
Full House
An intense moment
Marines and their badass jackets
I was lucky enough to talk with this gentleman for a little while, he had me laughing!! Great sense of humor :) Loved him!!
Father and daughter waiting for their turn...ever so patiently.
THANK YOU
She was incredible. She brought this photo of herself just in case she needed to prove she was in the service. Beautiful then, beautiful now...and very funny! Oh, by the way, we believed her AND appreciate her.
The line that never seemed to get shorter
These two just met, and sat down together to rest, and ended up talking all night.
This was the trumpet player that came in and played Taps for us.
Everyone standing for the music
This man walked up, with tears in his eyes, to tip the trumpet player.
No comments:
Post a Comment