A Moving Moment

We performed a matinee show yesterday for a mostly older crowd at our favorite dinner theater.  We ended the show with our military tribute to the Armed Forces.  We sing the anthem of each branch of the service and ask anyone who has served in the military to stand when they hear their anthem.  We started with the Air Force, then the Marines, the Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, Navy, and finally the Army.  With each anthem men and women stood proudly around the room.   When we got to the Army, that's when the most people stood. We began to sing "Over hill, over dale, we have hit the dusty trail",  and people all over the room quickly got to their feet.  Then I noticed the elderly man at the table right in front of us.  He struggled to get out of his chair.  He grasped the table, and tried to rise, his wobbly legs failing him.  Then two strangers from the next table gripped his arms and helped him stand up, which he was barely able to do.  Tears came to my eyes and I almost couldn't keep singing. This ordinary-looking man who had been smiling and laughing  through our show, was suddenly a proud soldier who had served his country and would not let anything, including his own body,  keep him from standing up for the Army.  Then we sang "God Bless America". 
And he did it again.

Thank you, Sir, whoever you are.  We salute you.