We are taught from a young age to respect the flag and all who serve under it. Our courageous troops, who physically risk their lives in the defense of liberty and freedom, are at the forefront of that latter group of distinction.
Unfortunately, too many people forget about our troops; too many people go through life without paying them the respect they deserve.
Fortunately, there are those who think about them every day. Two brothers from Durham, North Carolina, were eating at Chick-fil-A when two serving men stepped in.
What happens next will leave you with a nice feeling in your heart.
Jonathan and Stephen Full were taking their children to Chick-fil-A when they noticed two military personnel enter the eatery. Jonathan stood up as soon as they passed through the door.
“It’s always been on my mind,” he told WTVD, “to pay for some military members’ meals when I get the chance.”
With that in mind, Jonathan followed through on a commitment he had made to himself in the past.
“It just hit me hard in the heart to do it then.” “And it just happened,” he said.
The incursion
Naturally, Jonathan had no idea who was going to walk through the doors. Nine more service men and women, all in uniform, entered Chick-fil-A.
“Is there a bus somewhere dropped off?” “Did we just hit the jackpot?” Jonathan questioned himself.
“What I felt in my heart was that I didn’t care if 200 more people showed up. I was still planning on purchasing the lunch.”
Stephen afterward posted on Facebook about how proud he was of his younger brother. Not only that, but he also shot several photos.
“He didn’t even bat an eye,” Stephen explained.
The story’s twist
It would eventually be revealed that there was more to the act than meets the eye. Joshua, Jonathan, and Stephen’s stepbrother had suffered from severe PTSD after returning from a stint in Iraq and had committed suicide just one week before that day at Chick-fil-A.
“(Jonathan) asked (the military members) to reach out to anyone they knew with PTSD and try their best to get them the help they needed,” Stephen posted on Facebook.
What an awesome act of kindness by Jonathan, his brother Stephen has every right to be proud. What’s more, what an incredible example he’s setting for the rest of society to follow.
Soldiers sacrifice so much to keep our country safe, and all too often are they swept under the rug and passed over in favor of others.
Jonathan, you’re a credit to your family and a true hero!