05/17/2022
I did something tonight I haven’t done in a long time…I put on a uniform. And peoples reactions were…surprising.
My buddy called me and asked if I would speak about the new merit badge, Citizenship in Society, to his troop. It’s about inclusion, and he wanted me to focus on how we treat people with silent disabilities like autism.
After the presentation I went to the Neighborhood Market to grab a couple things. Everyone was staring at my uniform. People would stop and stare! The older people had that look of remembering, when a uniform meant something. They would nod their head, call me “Sir”, and say excuse me and move politely out of my way for no reason. Some of the younger people stared in wonder, like they had never seen one before.
I’m not sure what it says about our country that having a grown man wear a uniform would have that much of an affect. My thanks to all those who have ever worn a uniform. You are the ones who made this country great. I for one have not forgotten your sacrifice. Maybe it’s good these people got a reminder tonight.