I have a baseball cap with �U.S.N. RETIRED� on it that I usually wear when I go out riding. Last December 1st we needed tires on the old car so Joan and I went to Sears. I rode my power chair and Joan drove the car. While they were putting the tires on the wheels Joan and I went inside to look about. Big mistake... The place was so full of people it was impossible to move. Joan went back into the automotive department and I started for the exit door.

Finally arriving at the door, a nice lady opened it for me and I went out to the sidewalk. The sidewalk was almost blocked also and I found myself waiting for a space to put the chair. The lady with several other people came up to me.

�Were you in World War Two?� she asked.

�No. I was too young for that,� I said.

�Korea and Vietnam, hu?� she asked.

�Yes,� I said. �Both, especially Korea.�

�My dad was killed in Korea when I was a baby,� she said. �Thank you for what you did in giving us our freedom.�

This was moving enough in itself, but a number of other people reached out and said, �Thank you� to me. I reached out and took the lady�s hand, pulled her over to me, and gave her a hug. Others were hugging her, me and each other. The lady was crying. I could not take it so I scooted away and around the corner.

There is a few trees there and a bench. I didn�t see her at first, but there was one of the Sears clerks sitting on the bench. She said, �I want to thank you, too. My dad is here and he is well. He wouldn�t be if you and others like you had not made such sacrifices. I just got out of high school and started working here. Tomorrow I�m going to try to join the armed forces...�

I sat there and could not speak. I never wanted to cry so bad in my life. Finally I said, �Thank you. Not many young people your age thinks about such things. You must be very special.�

She stood and said, �God bless you, Sir.� and walked away.