Our veterans have given up so much for all of us. They leave behind their homes, families, comfort, and safety to fight for our freedom and protect us. They do all this so we can live in peace and feel safe at night. While they do receive some benefits, like small discounts and perks, these are nothing compared to the sacrifices they’ve made.
Sadly, some people don’t fully understand what veterans have done for them. This was clear when one young veteran walked up to the counter at a fast food restaurant. After placing his order, he asked, “Do you offer a military discount?” But the response he got wasn’t what he expected.
A woman standing behind him in line spoke up, saying, “It’s rude to ask for a discount. You’re acting like you deserve special privileges just because you’re in the military.”
The young soldier, no doubt surprised by her words, quickly set her straight.
“It’s not a privilege, it’s a discount,” he said, his voice steady. “A privilege is getting to go home. To go home to your family every night. To go home in a free country.”
He paused for a moment to let his words sink in, then added, “Some people give up their privileges so people like you can have them.”
The woman went silent, clearly taken aback by his response. But the story didn’t end there. As the young veteran prepared to pay, a girl standing in line stepped forward and said, “I’ll pay for his meal.” And just as the veteran was about to thank her, the store manager, who had been watching everything, stepped in and said, “The meal’s on us.”
The young soldier left the restaurant with his head held high, and hopefully, that woman learned an important lesson that day: Veterans deserve our respect and gratitude.
Do you support our veterans? Share your thoughts in the comments!
