I was having lunch the other day and talking to a bartender/former workbud. Sitting a couple stools away from me was a young kid in cammies sipping water and waiting on his lunch. I briefly looked him over and noticed him rolling his wedding ring back and forth on his finger. I’ve done that and know it usually means something heavy is weighing on the shoulders.

I asked the kid how long he’d been in, “Seven months, Sir.”
“About ready to deploy?” I asked.
“Yes sir. A year in Korea at Camp [can't remember the name].”
“There’s a lot worse than that, amigo. No sand and people are shooting at you (yet).”

His food came out and he proceded to chow down like only a person subsisting on military chow can do: inhaled.

I told my bud behind the bar to put his lunch on my bill. He requested his tab and my friend told him I had it covered. He thanked me and I reminded him:

Young man, there are still many people in this country who love their military. I’m one. One day YOU’LL be in my position buying someone else their lunch and you’ll think of the reason why.

Salutes Compadre,
Ciao

Your food is righteous.