Small gesture brings lifetime of direction

BY CALLIE CURLEY
Correspondent

It wasn’t a tale of war in a far-off land that Colonel Martin Kane, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army National Guard 55th Armor Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division shared with the crowd of veterans and community members gathered in Montrose on Memorial Day, but rather, a story that reminded all in attendance of the impact a simple gesture of recognition can have in the life of a U.S. military veteran.

The story, which was first circulated in national news in February, began with a note, handwritten by 8 year-old Myles Eckert of Ohio, who happened upon a $20 dollar bill in the parking lot one morning as he and his family were heading inside a local restaurant for breakfast.

His original plan – a video game purchase – was tossed from his mind when he spotted a gentleman in uniform during their meal. The boy gave the money, along with his note, to Lt. Col. Frank Dailey, who soon thereafter “paid it forward” himself, by giving away the money. The note, however, he has kept for himself as a daily reminder to give each day in the same way that Myles gave to him.

The note read:
“Dear Soldier – My dad was a soldier. He’s in Heaven now. I found this $20 in the parking lot when we got here. We like to pay it forward in my family. It’s your lucky day! Thank you for your service. Myles Eckert, a Gold Star kid.”

Lt. Col. Dailey called the gift “bigger than $20,” and said, “(It gave me) a lifetime of direction, for sure.”

According to Col. Kane, these small gestures are the most meaningful way of reminding servicemen and women of the importance of their sacrifices. In a time where the United States maintains the “most professional fighting force in history,” there is still a need for these moments in the lives of veterans – and this is one cause that any American can contribute to.