A quiet and moving thank you...

An Army friend of mine, with whom I have served many years, sent this interesting article and film clip to me today. I thought it was very powerful. And I have to admit that even I have felt that same awkwardness he speaks of -- both as the Soldier and as a civilian. I usually just walk up and shake their hand, but I know there are a lot of people who won't do that or hesitate and lose the moment. This seems like a simple but effective way of helping people express their gratitude. Try it out. No commitment, no overt political statements -- just a "thank you" to our young (and sometimes not-so-young) service men and women.

Below is the story. The link takes you to a very interesting film clip.
http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php

According to Neal Gillenwater, the author:
"For the past several years as I've been traveling around the country, I've been approaching soldiers in the airports and thanking them for serving for us. On several occasions I have noticed that it felt a little awkward for both of us. There are several reasons, some of which I am even just now learning as I produce this film and talk to more soldiers. But they have always appreciated being thanked, and I have always felt better having expressed my gratitude.

I started to think that it would be nice if civilians had a gesture or sign that they could use to say "thank you" quickly and easily without even having to approach. I did some research and found the sign that we are now using.

The sign we are using is intended to communicate"thank you from the bottom of my heart."

To make the sign simply place your hand on your heart as though you're saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Then pull your hand down and out, bending at the elbow (not the wrist), stopping for a moment at about the belly button with your hand flat, palm up, angled toward the person you're thanking. "

According to Norman Heimgartner, Ed.D., author of “Behavioral Traits of Deaf Children” and former Professor of Education at the University of Puget Sound, this sign originated in France in the late 1700’s, and was published in “Theorie des Signes”, a dictionary of signs by the Abbe Sicard. The sign was brought to the United States in 1816 by the Reverend Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, founder of Gallaudet University, who later modified it to start at the chin rather than at the heart. That sign is now the standard sign for “thank you” in American Sign Language. The original sign, starting at the heart, is less commonly known today and might now be considered “slang”.

Hooah