Leaders Book Notes - The Gratitude Campaign

By SMA Kenneth PrestonSeptember 11, 2008

Leaders,

Recently, Scott Truitt from Seattle created a gesture which could be used as a massive movement to get the word out to thank our service members. I want you to inform your Soldiers to be aware of this gesture if they are greeted.

Mr. Truitt started The Gratitude Campaign as a gesture or sign that people can say thank you quickly and easily without having to approach service members. The Gratitude Campaign is the standard American Sign Language intended to communicate "thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Truitt said, "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 and women and Veterans. But they have always appreciated being thanked, and I have always felt better having expressed my gratitude."

Visit the http://www.gratitudecampaign.org:80/shortmovie.php Web site to watch the Gratitude Campaign movie.

We owe it to our Service members to thank them for their Service to our Nation at his critical time in history. Thanks for all that you do for our Soldiers and for America's Army. Army Strong!

SMA Ken Preston