The Emporia Gazette

February 13, 2012

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LAST SUMMER, I was at the zoo here in Emporia sitting in the rest area drinking a soft drink. A young man carrying a small child then entered the area. The child was sobbing loudly. I got up and wandered around the area to see the prairie dogs. Soon the same man and child walked by and the child was still crying. I thought maybe I should say something. So I went up to them and said, “Is the little boy afraid of the animals?” The man said, “No, I just got home from Iraq; I’m his dad and he does not know me.” I touched the man’s arm and said, “Thank You,” then hurried to my car where I said a small prayer and cried.

A couple nights ago I was watching “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader” on TV. Jeff Foxworthy asked the guy if he was a vet. The man said he was. Jeff Foxworthy walked up to him, shook his hand and said thank you. It sure took me by surprise as it must have done to the player because with a strange look on his face he answered the question.

While I am very much opposed to this war in Iraq, I must remember (as well as all of us) that these men and women are sacrificing so much, big and small, for those of us here at home.

So now here at Christmas time, I will consider this a gift. We must all say thank you for all of those risking everything.

Fran Outten

Emporia