Navy veteran out to dinner with wife tears up when 4 young men repeatedly interrupt their meal
What began as a casual night between Lou and his wife Annette ended up becoming a memorable and heartwarming story.
The couple was out for dinner at their local Cracker Barrel when a younger man approached the table and introduced himself to Lou. At first, Lou wondered why someone would interrupt his meal, but moments later he would be totally delighted.
The young man had noticed Lou’s U.S. Navy Vietnam Vet cap and wanted to express his gratitude for Lou’s service.
In fact, the young man was a Marine himself, and he wasn’t alone! He pointed to a table nearby, where 3 other young men sat.
Lou instantly recognized them as servicemen.
“I knew they were military by their haircuts- high and tight” said Lou.
As service members themselves, they were aware of the sacrifice and dedication that Lou had made and wanted to express their gratitude. One by one each of the men made their way over to Lou’s table to personally thank him with a handshake.
Lou took the time to speak with each of them and wished them well in their future military endeavors.
When they had all returned to their meal, Lou returned to his with a feeling of fulfillment and thought that would be all the thanks he would receive that day.
The couple went on with their night out, it had already been made by the grateful young men.
Meanwhile, the four Marines found yet another way to show their gratitude.
When Lou and Anette wrapped up eating and asked for the check, they learned that the bill had already been covered!
Again, Lou was completely flattered.
This time he took the opportunity to be thankful and made his way over the table at which the Marines were eating. He put his arm around one of the young men and said they didn’t have to do that. Just a thank you would have been enough, he said. But the men insisted, they felt it was their duty to pay respect.
On their way out, the gentlemen lined up to shake Lou’s hand one more time.
This time a few hugs were exchanged and the entire restaurant became aware of what was happening when the Vietnam vet began to cry.
“They filed in front of my table, stood in line, and each of one of them again put his hand out, shook my hand, thanked me, hugged me, and walked to my right” Lou said with tears welling up in his eyes as he recalled the event.
The usually chatty Cracker Barrell had fallen silent to watch what was happening at Lou’s table. Some even applauded.
“It just speaks volumes of the military. I thought of my son who is retired Air Force, and the people who thank him for his service. It’s rewarding to see the military is so strong and polite.” said Lou’s wife, Annette, who reminded her husband to sit and take a deep breath.
This is a shining example of the power of gratitude to motivate people to create good.
In a world where there can never be enough acts of gratitude and kindness, we should take this story as a reminder that there are good people everywhere. Veterans especially deserve thanks, and we should all keep an eye out for people to be thankful for.
Scroll down to watch Lou tell this story in his own words!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.