Happy Friday: Encouraging Words from a Stranger

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Sent from reader, Lynette of Cleverly Simple:

I ordered the Living Social Deal for Skreened.com last month and ordered shirts for all the kiddos that call my brother Uncle.  He’s currently deployed in Afghanistan and I wanted them to have something to show their support and love for him so we made shirts with his picture that said, “Uncle Bryan is my Hero.”  

This past week we had a scary day with some news from Afghanistan and in the midst of calling families in our unit we received our mail with the completed t-shirts.  Enclosed with the t-shirts was a personal note on our invoice from whoever packaged the shirts.  “Uncle Bryan is my HERO too!”  The words from a stranger brought me to tears.  To know that others were proud of my brother and service to our country meant the world to me.  You never know what a simple word can mean for a person who needs to hear it.

HAPPY FRIDAY! :D


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** Check out all the previous Happy Friday pictures here.

Join The Discussion

Comments 75

  1. Rachel

    That is a wonderful and touching story. My husband served 21 years in the army, my brother served in the army, and my oldest son is currently in the Coast Guard. It is nice to hear it from complete strangers. It means so much more than you think it will. Pray for all of our troops.

  2. Leighton

    Great story!! Thanks for sharing- and thank you Bryan for your service!

  3. Liz

    aww, this is sweet. Thanks for sharing!

  4. michelle

    Thanks to Uncle Bryan for your service! hope he has a safe return home!

  5. Jess

    This gaveme goose bumps. My hubby and I are both active duty military and he’s heading out here soon. It’s nice to see the support for a fellow troop. Uncle Bryan is in our prayers, and we hope he returns home safe and sound. It’s men and women like that, that keep us safe and free. Thanks Bryan!

    • kalu

      Many thanks to the two of you, too!!

  6. nonsenseandgodsense

    What a great way to show your love and respect for your brother! I love the idea and the fact that others (including that super cool person from Skreened) respond so well to it is a testament to how much we love Uncle Bryan and all our service people … and their families who support them! God Bless Uncle Bryan! 😀

  7. Carissa R.

    Uncle Bryan is my hero too! God Bless all our troops!

  8. kari

    ty for this friday my husband is in the army thank u for this story.

  9. Kelly

    Wow! That is a great story! And, Uncle Bryan is my hero, too.

  10. KathyE

    This story brought tears to my eyes too. Uncle Bryan is my hero too!

  11. Joy

    OMG, I love this! Thanks for sharing! Big kiddos to Skreened.com! I would use them in the future! Grateful to our service people!?

    • Joy

      Oops, meant “Big kuddos” (dang auto-correct)

  12. Lindsay

    Awesome! Made me cry. Thanks to all of the Uncle Bryan’s out there. We are praying everyday you come home safe and sound so you can be smothered with hugs from the little ones wearing those shirts!

  13. Nita

    Loved the story!

  14. julie

    This brought tears to my eyes as well. My best friend’s husband was overseas for 2 tours and I know how much something like this would have meant to her. What a sense of community and sharing the burden from a total stranger. Kudos to them!!

  15. Amber

    Awesome.

  16. L

    What a great idea, to keep Uncle Brian close for the kids!
    I agree with the note, he and all those guys are my heroes.
    Thanks for sharing your story.
    Freedom isn’t free.

  17. kristin

    we love Uncle Bryan too! THANK YOU for your service

  18. Ramona

    I loved this story! Thanks to Uncle Bryan!!!!!

  19. heidi

    Uncle Bryan is my hero too.

  20. christina

    Lynette, ok, now that made me tear. It’s also a reminder that when I am frustrated with loved ones here…there are heroes who miss that frustration (the easy kind..)

    collin thank you for sharing this story 🙂 The best happy friday !!

  21. Karen Illinois

    Thanks Uncle Bryan

  22. Goldstar07

    How very thoughtful. Our daughter is our hero as well as our son, plus Uncle Bryan and many other Uncles and Aunts.

  23. Linsey Dale

    Your post brought me to tears! My brother is also in Afghanistan as well and it is so nice to hear about things like this, especially from people who don’t even know your family member in the service. It’s good to know that there are people who really DO care. Quick story, my brother, LC Vince (Marine), was coming home to New Jersey from his station in NC, and when he stopped at the first Wawa he saw (he LOVES Wawa, in fact he’s a freak about it, and anyone who’s from the central east coast knows what I’m talking about), an older man stopped him and told him to wait in the parking lot. About 10 minutes later, the older man appeared with $100 in gift cards to the Outback Steakhouse and Wawa! It was so sweet and thoughtful, I wish I just knew who the man was so that our entire family could thank him. Semper Fi!

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