"Thank you for your service."

As a veteran, that's what I hear whenever someone finds out that I served our country in uniform. It sounds like they said "Gesundheit" after I sneeze. It's polite, but not really sincere.
I never say anything back because "you're welcome" just doesn't seem adequate. I stand there and try to think of something meaningful but it doesn't come and the moment has passed.
I saw a video on facebook today that brought a tear to my eye. A young, (thiyrtyish) woman was at the Post Office with her three year old daughter and she was checking a post office box that she had set up for a veteran that had helped her when she was a homeless single mom. He had very little to give, but he gave all. Now, years later, she is on her feet and paying it forward. She set up those boxes to receive letters and packages for this old man who basically saved her life. She showed us how excited her little girl was to open the box and pull out all the envelopes; and the keys to open the large parcel boxes. Four keys. Four boxes full of Amazon packages for this man who never stopped serving. She was crying as she filled her trunk with all of this stuff sent by people she didn't know and would never meet to help a veteran they didn't know and would never meet.
I am constantly amazed at the generosity of the human spirit. Especially from those that received help when they least expected it.
It got me thinking.
Whenever someone thanks me for my service, I am going to hold them to it and say something like this: " You can thank me by helping another human being that you are able to help. You see someone on the street in the cold, a cup of coffee would be nice, but a warm coat would help more. A safe place to sleep, even in your car or shed could mean everything to that person. It's not a hand out, it's hand up. Because you owe."
It's a call to action.
I hope the many veterans here at DU read this and say something like this when they're given the limp handshake and their "thank you" while they're looking at their shoes.
The Oath we took when we raised our hand in the MEPS never expires.
Neither does the Pledge of Allegiance.

Any Season Ticket holders out there?

For any Pro or College sports teams?

Me? I hold Miami Dolphins tickets. Love them and the perks that come with them, too.

HOW 'BOUT DEM 'PHINS!

Came back from a 17 point deficit at the half to beat the dirty birds of Atlanta! 20-17.

Okay, who crashed Discussionist?

It keeps timing out.

Still here... made it through the night. UPDATE.

Just woke up.
The eyewall is about to hit Key West. It's really scary seeing the videos from down there. I think they've been out of power for a while now. Reporting 95 mph gusts.
Miami is getting 66 mph gusts with stinging rain.
Tornado warning in effect until noon with a Tor:Con of 8(80% chance of tornadic activity).

Still breathing in Fort Lauderdale...

Just had a tornado warning near me but it has expired.
Moderate to heavy rain followed by dead calm. Just heard the first rumble of thunder.

My luck is never this bad...

So. We've got Hurricane Irma, a cat 3 hurricane with another system right behind it. Heading this way.
I'm going on a cruise to the Bahamas on the 15th. I have a feeling Crazy Cruise IV is going to be a wet, rocky mess.
IF we can even go.
I know this sounds insensitive with what the Houstonians are going through, but I planned this trip 6 months ago and really wanted to get away.

Crazy Cruise IV has just been booked...

Yes, ladies and gents it's time for another Crazy Cruise of the Caribbean!
A little early in the year this time and only a weekender.
Sailing out of Fort Lauderdale on the Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas heading for Nassau, Bahamas and Coco Cay. Bringing a playmate this time and got a free upgrade to a stateroom with a balcony.
Setting sail September 15th and returning on the 18th; just a quick trip to do a little gambling and sightseeing. A new Casino opened up in Nassau and I'm told it puts the Atlantis to shame. We'll see.

Despacito... the way it was meant to be heard.

Hugh Hefner dead. Aged 91...

Just read it on facebook. Can anyone confirm?