Something really cool happened today

I just wanted to pass this on, I thought it was pretty cool.
Those of you that know me a bit know I like my Santiagos burritos. This morning I decided I could use some green chili so I hit the Santiagos right up the street from me.
It was pretty busy, the line was out the door and right as I was walking up to the line two young Marines in their dress uniforms walked up to it the line as well. Really young guys, like right out of high school to boot camp young. I let them go in front of me in line.
As we waited in line I thought "Yup, make their day."
I asked them if they would mind holding my spot in line, I needed to use the restroom.
"Yes sir."
I walked by the cashier and told her I would cover the Marines tab for their meal. She looked at me and said ok.
I went to the can and back to my spot in line. I thanked the two Marines and got a snappy "Yes Sir!, no problem."
OK, good deal.
But what happened next was the cool part.

As they got up to the counter a young mom with a small kiddo in a carrier and a 3-4 year old pulled out her card, walked up to the cashier and told her she would like to pay for the Marines meal. An older gent told her no, put your card away, he was going to pay for them.
The cashier had a really confused look on her face, looked at me and said "I thought you were paying for them....."
I told her I am, the young mom and older guy both looked at me and we all started laughing.
The Marines turned and looked at all of us with a look of surprise, thanked me and I told them, "No, thank you gentlemen."
As they turned to walk out the door anybody who was in earshot and heard the conversation started applauding the Marines, a few "Thank you's" could be heard.

Cool way to start the day.

Very nice, good on you. Sounds like a great way to start the day

Awesomeness!

Good all around.[emoji106]

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Cool story Bert.

Excellent.

Very kewl story.

One of our young locals is back, from the Marines, for holiday break. Funny how there is a crowd around him. He's a good kid but doesn't quite know how to take the new attention.

That's awesome!

Good people are out there. Good job Bert!

Man, I thought this was going to be a story about you making them cry...

Nice!

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That story made me smile! :)

Very nice, this just made my day.

Who says Santa is a myth....[Coffee]
Job well done Bert! [Beer]

As vets it's our duty to make those boys feel like their not wasting their time.

It wasn't about me.
The thing that struck me is the fact that multiple people offered up. And then applauded our men and women in service.
That to me was the cool part.

Very cool story.

Good on all of you. Nice to see people paying it forward.

Well done Sir !

I've seen a lot more of this stuff recently, for both Military and LE. Nice to see.

Nice.

Great story. Put a smile on my face.

That's what I'm talkin' about! Good on you brother. I always felt really humbled to receive a free meal when in uniform only to find out that a grateful person paid for it in advance. It is one of the best gifts I ever received.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BPTactical

It wasn't about me.
The thing that struck me is the fact that multiple people offered up. And then applauded our men and women in service.
That to me was the cool part.

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Exactly - 3 different people stepped to the plate.

Good on you Bert, and the other people too. [Beer]

Great story!!! .................................................. .......................
..................Although, Santiago's sucks!.................

That was a great story. I rarely see that anymore... and rarely saw it while I was in and traveling about in uniform (except that time I got upgraded to first class when I came home on mid-tour R&R). It's always heartwarming, despite the season, to see things like this happen. I did almost get into a fight over who was paying for a young soldier's meal when I was at DIA- I insisted, as a veteran, that I would cover his meal, so did the other guy. [Beer]

I once tried to exchange seats with a young Marine. It was just a domestic narrowbody but I was in first class on an upgrade and thought it would be nicer for her. She refused it -- probably because it was too much hassle while we were in the midst of boarding. Wish I'd seen her in the gate before boarding so I could have offered the exchange before she got on.