My Day

So. Today, I participated in a local parade. I do a couple of these every year, always for my AFJROTC unit. I always command it. Today, we switched things up. Firstly, a bunch of people didn't show up, so I had to take over in the middle of the parade all by my lonesome (usually there are three people up at the very front where I was, and I would command the majority of the people in the ROTC part of the parade and scream my head off and call out little military rhymes called jodies.). THAT was interesting. Also, I got a sword to play with during the parade. First time we've ever done that (and yes, i'm aware of the irony that they gave ME a sharp object after my knife incident.) So, not only was I all alone at the front of the parade, I had a freaking sword. And I also suffer from terrible stage fright. That was fun. I think I turned even whiter in the face if that's possible. But I did just fine. Afterwards, I talked to the mayor for a while, laughed, and went out to Zaxby's to eat, still in my ROTC uniform. I go order my food, then go to sit down. Some random lady taps me on the shoulder and says "Thank you." I got confused for a second, then realized what she was talking about. I tell her I'm not actually serving yet, I'm just in ROTC, and she said "Oh. Well, still, thank you." That just touched my heart. I'm so glad that there are people out there who, not only see what the military does for the country, but appreciate it enough to say thank you, and stick by it just because I'm going to eventually go serve. It's people like that that makes this country awesome, and it's people like that that make me want to go serve. I know it's not a big thing, but it still makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Like puppies and stuff.