Show Your Gratitude

Seattle resident Scott Truitt, whose father and father-in-law both spent decades in the military, started The Gratitude Campaign as a simple idea to create a universally-understood way to convey thanks to service members we pass on the street, or in the airport.

Truitt knew that many Americans were looking for some way to express their gratitude to members of our Armed Forces, but most just don't know how. It can feel awkward to approach someone we don't know.

Because political opinions about the War on Terror are so polarizing, it is sometimes difficult for people to realize they need to thank service members for their service regardless of their personal political views.

So Truitt began trying to find a universal gesture that would convey "Thank You" quickly and comfortably, to avoid the sometimes awkward moments that can occur.

He thought of the sign language sign for 'Thank You,' which starts at the chin, but was afraid it might be misconstrued by someone unfamiliar with its meaning as a sign-language sign. Starting with your hand over your heart, as if you're about to say the Pledge of Allegiance, should make it easier to understand that the message is from the heart, even if the person doesn't know exactly what the sign means.

For more about the story behind The Gratitude Campaign, click on the link above for their web site.

Send Your Message of Thanks
to Our Service Members!

Take a minute to post your message of thanks to let our men and women in the Armed Forces know how much you appreciate their service, and the sacrifices made on a daily basis by them and their families.

And while you're at it, thank our vets, too.

Scroll down below the form to read messages posted by other readers.

Thank You for my Freedom All of you are so wonderful.

I have been a Soldiers Angel - since this war has started, I have adopted several soldiers.

It has been my honor to ...

Thanks for Your Service I am only in eighth grade, but I truly respect every single one of our veterans for all they have done and keep on doing for our nation.

I love you ...

Thank you to our military! Tammy writes:

Words can never express the gratitude I feel every day for the ultimate sacrifices each member of our armed forces make daily for the ...

A note to our Veterans Dear Veterans,

Thank you for serving our country. We are very proud of what you do. We're glad that you fight for our freedoms.

Thank you for ...

Thank the Troops, says a vege, lesbian bike-riding geek Jazz writes:

From a vege, lesbian bike-riding geek --

I title the message as such, as it is our men and women in the military that make this country ...

thank you To all the men and women in the service of our country, a most sincere THANK YOU for all your sacrifices and for your commitment to our country.

To ...

Thank You With All My Heart I cannot thank you enough for keeping my family and our country safe for the last 8 years!

As I watched hundreds of Iraqis gather in a Church on Easter ...

With Heartfelt Gratitude!!!! Shirley writes:

Thank you to each and every one of you, no matter your age, rank or branch of service, for all you do for all of us.

Every day ...

My Heroes Wear Camo
Before I lay me down to sleep...
And fall into a slumber deep...
Hear this little prayer of mine...
Hope it gets to you in time...

Bless those ...

Words aren't adequate...but that's all we have. Reid wrote:

You people of our armed forces are TRUE HEROES! You represent what this country is all about - BRAVERY and FREEDOM. FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!...

Thanks For Giving Me & My Family a Life to Live!!! To the most highly ordained people in the world who have gave us a place to have our children and raise them without control and fear.

Now you are ...

This world could NEVER THANK YOU FINE MEN & WOMEN ENOUGH THANK YOU....THANK YOU.....THANK YOU ALL!!!!!! AND
GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!!!!!

Armed Civilian Militia Acknowledges the Heroism of the Troops Though the ACM does not support the war due to underlying problems in the administration, the ACM does acknowledge and support the heroism of the troops ...

May God Bless You All Without your service, our country would not exist.

You, like others before you, make up the very lifeblood of our dear America, and you willingly shed ...

Thanks from the bottom of my patriotic heart! I am the daughter of a WWII Navy veteran, the wife
of an Air Force veteran and the mother of a U.S. Marine!!

So PROUD to be just a little part of our ...

What's Great About America Preston writes:

What's great about America is the men and women selflessly serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. These ...

Serving in the Military was Our Privilege Ken writes:

Dear Tammy,

It is because of the love of our country that we served...

It is because of what our parents, grandparents and great grandparents ...

Happy New Year Troops/
2010 New beginnings!!! Joni writes:

I am a single mother of two and I just want to thank you for all that you have done for us.

I pray every night for you guys and hope ...

Thank you to you and your family Dearest Soldier,

Thank you so much for putting our your uniform to defend us everyday. Your courage to serve us is beyond words. Thank you never seems ...

Special Prayers For U.S. Troops Jackson writes:

It is with great honesty, pride and dignity that I send my special prayers for U.S. troops around the world.

I am a member of the ...

Thank You Veterans for your selfless acts of courage. Carl and Beverly wrote:

Thank you, dear serviceman and servicewoman, for your selfless act of courage to help keep our country free.

Most of us ...

God bless you guys and girls! From Buenos Aires, Argentina......

I always wanted to say God Bless The United States Army Corps....

And the Marines and the Navy... God bless you ...

we will never know or understand Connie writes:

to start i want to say thank you to all past, present, men and women who are serving our country.

i have family members in the service....

Thank You for
Service to our Country To all the Men and Women of the armed Services of the United States.God Bless You and Your Families.

From my family and our community. We cannot Thank ...

Be Safe and Come Home Jeff writes:

Hello Troops:
I'm very appreciating of your armies service.
A lot of service and sacrifice of your life.
Be safe and try to do best ...

To All Brave Ones Pearlie writes:

Ladies n Gentlemen,

You all have saved our lives n we all have lost some lives but that didn't stop our brave ones from fighting ...

THANK YOU! Kay writes:

Thank you for the sacrifice you make for me and all Americans. My prayer for each of you is that God will watch over you, and bring you ...

You Are The Greatest Thank you to all the men and women who serve our country and keep us safe.

Also, acknowledgment to your families and their sacrifices every day that ...

Thanks for the sweat!
I want to thank you for all the hard work and sacrifice you have put forward for our country.

I want to thank the families of our brave service ...

To the Troops
Megan writes:

I am truly in awe of all you men and women who are so courageous, honorable and dedicated. Your efforts are very much appreciated....

OUR PATRIOT HEROES YOUR DEVOTION TO OUR COUNTRY IS ACKNOWLEDGED, APPRECIATED AND HONORED. POLITICALLY CORRECT OR NOT, THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE THE TRUE REFLECTION ...

Thank You It's always difficult to imagine how different my life would have been had our son Jason not returned from Iraq with his usual smile and lively manner....

Thank You so very much Julie writes:
"How often do we neglect to day the words to others that are so important to hear and say?

I am the single Mom of a 2-yr-old son with ...

Hope You Are Safe I am a military wife and i didn't understand why someone would put their life on the line for people that didn't support you and who protest about the ...

Thanks for US troops from an Aussie Gentlemen,

I am an Australian and my son is an Australian - as far as we are concerned there is not a place on God's earth better than Australia, and ...

Show Your Gratitude

Want to show your gratitude to the troops,
but don't know what to say?

Send Your Message of Thanks
to Our Service Members!

Read Messages from Other Visitors

Show Your Gratitude

Want to show your gratitude to the troops, but don't know what to say?

Send Your Message of Thanks to Our Service Members!

Read Messages from Other Visitors

Want to show your gratitude to the troops,
but don't know what to say?

Send Your Message of Thanks
to Our Service Members!