Happy Memorial Day!
When I was a kid growing up in the 1960's and 70's my Dad impressed upon me the appreciation that I learned to show for those in our armed services. My Dad had served in the Army just after the Korean War. I was a pre-teen youth during the 60's and early 70's when we would watch the news casts showing the degenerate, ungrateful people who would spit on our soldiers and call them names. These ungrateful cowards were served nonetheless by these great heroes who did their duty in serving their country regardless of the fact that many hated them and everything that they and the military has stood for and stands for today. When we would see a returning soldier in church or on the street, nothing but words of praise and gratitude could be heard coming from my father's mouth. I learned long ago the true heroes in our country then and today are those who serve this great country not for the money or the glory, but for Country. For this I thank all our veterans this Memorial Day and every day, every time I have the opportunity. Thank you!
My heart felt thanks to all veterans and their families. I am ashamed at this point in my life to say I am not a veteran myself, but I am very thankful to those many folks who have served this, the greatest country in the world! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I personally am not one of those Americans that started waving the flag after 9/11. I have been thanking veterans for their service to our country since before 9/11. Less than one month before 9/11, I was in Daytona selling my wares. A fellow walking through the show expressed interest in my cages and when I found out he was in the Air Force, I gave him one of our cages. This was a tiny gesture on my part that pales in comparison to the true sacrifice made by the men, women and their families who truly sacrifice, in every way imaginable, for the rest of us. I am humbled to live in this country and to have the privilege to give a tiny bit back once in a while. When I see service men in a restaurant eating dinner, it is my practice to pay for their dinner. The few dollars it costs me is absolutely nothing in and of itself. The smiles and true feeling of appreciation these folks feel when I do this makes me feel wonderful that I can give back in this small way. In fact, I normally get all chocked up and am unable to speak with my eyes welling up with tears, as they are now while I write this.
As the owner of Boaphile Plastics, it is also my practice to offer additional discounts to folks who place orders with me of any kind who are serving in the Armed Forces. So if you are in the service, do not fail to let me know. It will save you money! I am sure I have not always remembered to do so, but have many many times. I often get asked if we give a military discount, to which I always say absolutely. I think this and the occasional additional restaurant tab is something more of us could do to show our gratitude.
I have hesitated to say anything about this because I am afraid it may sound like I am trying to toot my own horn. Nothing could be further from the truth. If I could post this anonymously, I would. I am not the one that needs any thanks, instead it is me and my family that owe a debt we can never repay to the living veterans, the many who have died in our stead and their families. I am hoping that others will follow this, my little example and do more than the likely too infrequent lip service, "thank you". The vocal "thank you" I am sure is great for our service people to hear, but to know first hand how these good folks are overwhelmed when I buy their dinner is eternally in my mind as I see their shocked and appreciative faces when I have done so. You too will have the great feeling of knowing you have perhaps given some of these good people a memory they will tell all their fellow service members and families about. It is such a small thing I have and will continue to do. In many ways I think I get more out of doing this for our service men and women then they do. I need no thanks myself. Knowing that these good people are not shown the respect and gratitude by many in our country, and that I in some small way can help make their day, is all the thanks I need. So if are a veteran and you find yourself passing through Hastings, Minnesota and have a hankering for Las Margaritas, just give me a call and lunch is on me. I am always looking for a reason to have Mexican at Las Margaritas.
Thank you service men, service women and their families for your service!
Jeff Ronne
The Boaphile
