The Gratitude Campaign, A Simple Way to Say Thanks!
Use the Sign of the Gratitude Campaign
The Gratitude Campaign appeals to my uber-patriotic side. Thanking service personnel for the protection that they afford me everyday is appealing, but let’s face it..it’s hard and awkward. The Gratitude campaign provides you with a simple gesture (not American Sign Language gesture) that says “Thank-you”. As you can see from the picture above, it’s just a simple sign, a movement of your hand down and away from your heart that says, “Thank you”. It can be coupled with unspoken or spoken words. I have always wanted to say “Thank you” to every service person I meet, but frankly I didn’t want to embarrass them or keep them from whatever task they were on at the time. The Gratitude Campaign has provide all of us a way to say thanks, over and over and over.
The Gratitude Campaign Origin
Scott Truitt was searching for a way to say “Thanks” to the 100s of Military personnel that he passed in the airport and his everyday life each year. After some research, he discovered a gesture, similar to a salute, which originated in 18th century France, which through the motion literally translates to “Thank you from the bottom of my heart”. Scott’s vision is for this campaign to remain non-political . It is not the standard ASL sign for Thank-you which starts at the chin and could be construed but the uninformed as a derogatory. Instead, the hand starts from the heart and and the gesture is downward to show your heartfelt gratitude.
The Gratitude Campaign. It Starts with you!
Will you use it the next time you see a member of the United States Military? I am going to try. I mean if they can do what they do everyday, can’t I at the very least, recognize it?
This Blog Post is dedicated to my nephew Blake V., who serves in the Navy; to my father, Jerry B., who was a member of the National Guard; to my Uncle Tom who served; and to my friend Thomas, who served as a Navy Seal. I was not compensated in any manner for this post. It is provided as a reminder to my readers, to have Gratitude.
Be the one who goes back….Luke 17: 11-19
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My parents met in the Air Force. God bless our troops!
no amount of words can or will ever come close to conveying the depth of my gratitude to all those who served
yes, you should thank them everyday…without these brave veterans where would this country be today. Thank you so much for our freedom. God Bless you all
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
You have made a very good point we should alway’s remember the Veteran’s eveyy day not just on Veterans day. Thankyou, Ken
Thanks for telling me about this, I hadn’t heard of it before.
I very wonderful post. My father served in WWII(non-combat) but his efforts still made sure I and everyone was free.
Thank you to the men and women of this country that have the courage to fight for this country. I cannot imagine the things they go through on a daily basis. I also want to say thank you to the military families who have to deal with their loved ones being away. It means a lot to live in the “Land of the Free”, and we would not be able to do that without these brave people!
This is so true, it doesn’t have to be Veteran’s Day to say thank you. If you see a vet just say thanks or shake their hand. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be able to have the all we do.
Thank you for the reminder, seems we sometimes forget!!
Thanks to all the men, women, and especially families who sacrifice so much so we can be free.
WOW! I love the Gratitude Campaign! So often we take it for granted, because most of us, sadly don’t think about our Veteran’s until this day comes around. As a military brat that married military and have many of my family that are military veterans this cause is near and dear to my heart! So I definitely will use this Awesome gesture to thank those that have bravely served our country! Thank you for bringing this Campaign to my attention! I will definitely be sharing it with others!!
I am glad to have informed you! The Chief BLonde
My cousin is currently in Africa with the US Army. He is following in the footsteps of our grandfather, a WWII vet, and his own father, a Vietnam vet. I am thankful for them and their service!
Appreciates your remarks on this awesome campaign
i love this, thanks for such a great idea
It’s so simple isn’t it? The Chief Blonde
This is so awesome! I saw a few posts on FB yesterday that while thanking the troops, they were also putting in a political plug about the re-elected president. Our troops serve our country, not our president. One of the things I have to remember when it’s election time – our Pledge of Allegiance is to our Flag – our country – not our President, not our Congress….but to our country. It is so important to me that we leave the politics out of our thanks!
Yes, I love this day. And love to remember and support! The Chief Blonde
I have a different view about the military. I feel for them, and wish they didn’t have to exist. We don’t need to be in this war and those lives didn’t have to be lost. So I send my warmth and love and hold them in the light.
SO many feel as you do Carol. The Chief Blonde
I love this as well. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, is this new? Had not seen it before.
I believe it started last year. The Chief Blonde
Excellent reminder!
This is so important. I know you wrote this last year, but coincidentally the TV show Parenthood and the NY Times had an episode and an article about the forgotten soldiers just this week.
I love this, too. I know so many men who served in Vietnam. And so many of them have lost a part of themselves, if not everything.
Love this. Gratitude is so easy to forget, to let just slip by. Thanks for reminding us.