As we were sitting there, an older couple walked in. They sat at a table adjacent to us. He had a ball cap on with teeny, tiny flags sticking out of it. They were so cute! They started talking to us right away.
"What is that you're having?" The man asked.
My husband replied that he was having Pad Thai.
"That's what I want." The man said.
I asked him if he liked spicy food and he said that he did. As he ordered, I piped up - suggesting that he only order mild - - her food is extra spicy. [Ilaiy and Lori would order "Thai Hot" - I'm sure that would literally kill me.]
Our little man told us that they'd just gotten back from a WWII reunion thing in Tennessee. They live in Michigan and were staying over at the Day's Inn. Wanted to rest a while so they stopped over. Walked over to Thara Thai...he'd had Chinese food once and he liked it. His Captain served for 40 years. Was in WWII and Korea. Mike nods. Mike was in the military (three branches). He's a WWII buff.
Mike asks our guy what he did in WWII...
"I was a duck driver. I was at Normandy. Utah beach...."
My eyes immediately burned and got misty. Wow! He made it out alive! Here's a man who fought for our freedom...
He enjoyed his Pad Thai. We ate in silence for a while. He got up a few times and went to bathroom. Said he was eating to fast...he liked it too much! I felt bad for him. I told Mike he better come outta the bathroom soon or...or...I just might barge in there and give him the Heimlich or something...
I told Mike that when he said he was at Normandy - I started to cry.
He said: "Me too!"
We finished eating. Told them to have a safe trip home. Went up to the counter to pay our bill.
"Do you want to get theirs?" Mike asked.
I nodded. And my eyes filled with tears for the second time that night.
9 comments:
Ohhh, I'm all teared up! I'm so glad you guys picked up their tab; What a special, wonderful surprise for them. Wahhhhhhh..
That's a great story. Thanks. Wow. Sweet. I'll bet you totally made their day! Nice!
You look russian.
Oh Wow!!! That was an amazing story!!
It was so great for you to pick up the tab!!!
I probably would've cried too!!
Such a good story!
Its a good story and it is sad!
Also this is the LIL SIS saying hello and how are you. I am home for the weekend and got on the internet finally! lol! Hope all is well and sorry i havent called i have been busy!
Love ya!
Mal
That is such a beautiful story. It brought tears to my eyes.
This post, along with gnightgirl's ravings, let me to check out Thara Thai and OMG I LOVE it so much. The pad thai is *perfect*. And chocolate fortune cookies! Amazing! I've eaten there twice already.
And now I'm thinking of it for dinner. MmMMMmMM...
On top of everything it is ridiculously convenient to both my work and home. New favorite restaurant.
Thara Thai .. thats the best place .. You guys are so sweet for picking up his tabe .. That would have been a suprise for him ..
./thanks
ilaiy
I love me some Thara Thai and you are right, that place is special. That was a beautiful story.
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