DigElogSAUKRAPIDS

How To Say "THANK YOU" To Our Soldiers

 
Click To Play

                  

The  sign we are using is intended to communicate
      "thank you from the bottom of my heart. "

      

To make the sign simply place your hand on your heart
as though you're saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Then
pull your hand down and out, bending at the elbow
(not the wrist), stopping for a moment at about the belly button with your hand flat, palm up, angled toward the person you're thanking.

      

According to Norman Heimgartner, Ed.D., author of “Behavioral Traits of Deaf Children” and former Professor of Education at the University of Puget Sound, this sign originated in France in the late 1700’s, and was published in “Theorie des Signes”, a dictionary of signs by the Abbe Sicard.  The sign was brought to the United States in 1816 by the Reverend Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, founder of Gallaudet University, who later modified it to start at the chin rather than at the heart.  That sign is now the standard sign for “thank you” in American Sign Language.  The original sign, starting at the heart, is less commonly known today and might now be considered “slang”.  For more information on American Sign Language, please see www.aslta.org.

Click To Play                *QUICKTIME                   *Phone

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

Sauk Rapids Veteran Story

Click To Play               *QUICKTIME                 *Phone

Last week, the St Cloud V.A. held a community round-table event to discuss the serious issues that are faced by returning soldiers. Other Veterans and elected officials spoke at the event as they tried to bring awareness to this issue. There was a positive turnout and those involved hope that many more concerned citizens will show up to voice their support at the next discussion, which is on April 21, 2008. Thanks to all that are involved with this important issue.

Sauk Rapids Memorial Day Ceremony

Click To Play                 *QUICKTIME                 *Phone

The Sauk Rapids Marching Band and many others gathered in remembrance of their loved ones who have fallen in combat. It was a lovely day and many would gather and listen to some of the speaker and the veterans talk about their experiences and what this day means to them.

Tony Nathe - Troop Support Away & At Home

Tony Nathe is a local veteran who dedicates much of his time supporting veterans both young and old.  In this story Tony talks about the organizations and support groups that are available to active troops and retired veterans.  In this story, we all can learn more about the price being paid by those who serve our country during and after their time in action.

Meet Bud & Mary Ann Molin

In this story we'll meet Bud & Mary Ann Molin, long time St. Cloud residents.  Bud talks about his time in the military during World War II and being a part of the troops that hit the beaches of Normandy on D Day.  Mary Ann shares the long period of silence Bud had to go through before he could finally begin talking about what happened during the war.