No matter what your feelings are towards enlisting people to fight in wars (perhaps you think it’s silly, or maybe you think it’s the ultimate heroic choice), it may be worth your time to think from the perspective of a soldier too.

A soldier might also not like the idea of being enlisted to fight in someone’s war either. But they put up with it anyway. They might do so in order to pay for college, fight for their family, or just give themselves a sense of purpose.

The future is uncertain, and many of them don’t even know if they’ll make it back. When they’re away from home and family, they tend to appreciate every form of kindness that meets them.

Denny Kukich recounts her experience with a group of soldiers on the plane, and it all started when she bought one of them lunch

While in her seat, a line of soldiers had boarded the plane and occupied the vacant seats. A soldier had sat down in the seat next to her. She asked him where his destination was, and he revealed to her :

“Petawawa. We’ll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we’re being deployed to Afghanistan.”

She learned about an hour into their flight that sack lunches were available for 5 dollars. May as well enjoy a meal while flying. She’d just about reached into her wallet when she overheard one of the soldiers talking to his mate on board about the sack lunches.

“‘No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn’t be worth five bucks. I’ll wait till we get to base.”

The other soldiers seemed to agree as well. So she called the flight attendant over and handed her a 50 dollar bill. “Take a lunch to all these soldiers”, requested Denny.

Upon saying this, the flight attendant held Denny’s arms with tears in her eyes

“My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it’s almost like you are doing it for him.'”

The attendant returned with 10 sacks, but stopped to ask Denny a question. “‘Which do you like best – beef or chicken?”. Confused, but not bothering to question, Denny replied “Chicken”.

She went to the front of the plane and returned with a dinner plate from first class.

“This is your thanks.”

After finishing her food, she got up and headed for the restroom when a man stopped her.

“I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.” – He said, handing her 25 dollars.

Returning to her seat, she noticed the flight captain enter the passenger aisle, carefully looking through the rows

Denny had a hunch it had something to do with her but nonetheless hoped to not be given any attention. Contrary to her wishes, the captain stopped by her and smiled. “I want to shake your hand.”

“I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.”

She walked to the front of the plane, motivated by the need to stretch her legs. As she made it there, the man 6 rows in front extended his arm to shake her hand, before leaving another 25 dollars in Denny’s hand.

Entering the terminal, she saw the soldiers one last time gathering for their journey to their base. She made her way over and gave them seventy-five dollars,

“It will take you some time to reach the base.. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.”

On her way back to her car, Denny adds that she regrets not being able to do more for them. These 10 men were off to stake their lives in service, away from their families for the next year or so. And all she could do in the time they were still here, was buy them lunch.

“If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

She whispered a prayer for them as she got to her car. She’d never met these 10 men before, and there’s no guarantee their paths will cross again. But she knew that they were doing their jobs, risking their lives and being away from their loved ones.

“If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Many soldiers don’t have much say in their drafting or where they’re deployed. They just follow orders until they can see their families again, and that much sacrifice should be given the recognition it needs. While we hope for a world without wars, we can in the meantime show kindness and care to those who fight in them.

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Source: [Love What Really Matters]