As Well
As Those Who Risk Their Lives Daily To Protect And Serve Our
Community
Have you ever wanted to say "Thank You" to one of
our brave soldiers but didn't?
Maybe you
felt awkward or weren't sure how to express yourself. Perhaps you
felt you might be intruding.
Scott Truitt, Founder of The Gratitude Campaign,
wanted to find a way. Here is his story.
For the past several years as I've been traveling
around the country, I've been approaching Soldiers in 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 Service Men & Women and Veterans.
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.
Is this limited to the military? Not at all. If you
look around you I'm sure that you'll find lots of people who are
serving their communities, from local to global. If you appreciate
their service, give them a sign. Say "thank you from the bottom of
my heart."
Scott Truitt, Founder, The Gratitude Campaign
The video below demonstrates
more about The Gratitude Campaign's way of thanking our the brave
men and women who serve us every day.
Please make sure you have the sound enabled on
your computer. This will bring a tear to your eye and a tug to your
heart.
To play the video click the right arrow in the middle of the
player above.
You may also wish to visit
YouTube to watch this video or send it to a
friend. Click the logo to visit the video page on YouTube.
The sign of The Gratitude Campaign's "Thank You"
is slightly altered from the traditional American Sign Language
"Thank You". Scott decided to alter the gesture, so the hand starts
at the heart (as though pledging) rather than at the chin or lips,
then bringing the hand down and out in front of you.
Truitt's translation of this gesture is "thank you
from the bottom of my heart."
Scott hopes The Gratitude Campaign will spread and
believes even if soldiers do not know exactly what the gesture
means, they'll realize if it originates on the heart, it is a
heartfelt message.
Showing you care is
the kindest gesture you can offer and will leave you with a
wonderful feeling of goodwill for days to come. Try it, you'll be
glad you did!
