- Feb 5, 2002
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I'd like to know what you guys think of this idea that my husband had. It comes from something that happened to him many eons ago, before we met. 
My husband was joined the Marine Corp after high school. In the second (?) year of his tour, enlistment, whatever...it worked out that he was unable to go home for the Thanksgiving holiday. He was stuck all alone, except for the other base-bound Marines. He comes from a large traditional family, so this was a bit of a shock for him, I think, to find himself at the laundromat for Thanksgiving washing his skivvies.
Anyway, sometime as he and a couple of his friends are finishing up, an elderly lady and her husband walk in. They look around, and spotting the three Marines, walk directly over to them. The couple asks if they all would like to come to their home to share Thanksgiving dinner. Well, sad as it is that people are normally suspscious of a truly loving gesture, these three guys thought the couple was crazy but accepted anyway.
They had a lovely dinner all ready. Turkey, dressing, cranberries, all the trimmings. But no other family or guests. As they ate, the elderly woman told them why they had been asked. The couple's only child, their son, had been a Marine and had been killed in a training manuever years before. And this is what they did every year to honor him. They invited lonely Marines, who couldn't be with their families, to join them.
Now, here comes my question. My husband wants to do this this year. He has never forgotten this thing that was done for him, and it touched him very deeply. I think it's a lovely idea, but...darned if it doesn't make me nervous as well. If it was a friend of a friend type thing, or if there was some kind of 'list', where you could 'adopt' a Marine for he holidays...but just to go and pick a perfect stranger off the street....
What do you all think?
Peace be with you.
Sandy
My husband was joined the Marine Corp after high school. In the second (?) year of his tour, enlistment, whatever...it worked out that he was unable to go home for the Thanksgiving holiday. He was stuck all alone, except for the other base-bound Marines. He comes from a large traditional family, so this was a bit of a shock for him, I think, to find himself at the laundromat for Thanksgiving washing his skivvies.
Anyway, sometime as he and a couple of his friends are finishing up, an elderly lady and her husband walk in. They look around, and spotting the three Marines, walk directly over to them. The couple asks if they all would like to come to their home to share Thanksgiving dinner. Well, sad as it is that people are normally suspscious of a truly loving gesture, these three guys thought the couple was crazy but accepted anyway.
They had a lovely dinner all ready. Turkey, dressing, cranberries, all the trimmings. But no other family or guests. As they ate, the elderly woman told them why they had been asked. The couple's only child, their son, had been a Marine and had been killed in a training manuever years before. And this is what they did every year to honor him. They invited lonely Marines, who couldn't be with their families, to join them.
Now, here comes my question.
My husband wants to do this this year. He has never forgotten this thing that was done for him, and it touched him very deeply. I think it's a lovely idea, but...darned if it doesn't make me nervous as well. If it was a friend of a friend type thing, or if there was some kind of 'list', where you could 'adopt' a Marine for he holidays...but just to go and pick a perfect stranger off the street....What do you all think?
Peace be with you.
Sandy
Thanks!
My mother gave me such a look! But Albert did enjoy the company and the mashed potatoes and vegetables...
