Each one of them thanked and hugged him, one by one. As Lous described the incident, tears were again filling his eyes.
“They filed in front of my table, stood in line, and each one of them again put his hand out, shook my hand, thanked me, hugged me, and walked to my right”, Lou recalled.
The atmosphere in the restaurant, which once was noisy and chatty, was replaced with an unusual quiet as onlookers watched the Marines’ conduct.
After the fourth Marine gave Lou “the sharpest salute” he’d ever seen, they turned and walked out. Lou was in ”awe” and felt the deepest gratitude for the men who so emphatically expressed their appreciation for his service.
“The room got very quiet. Everyone was looking,” Lou said, dabbing a tear from the corner of his eye. “Sorry … I still tear up when I talk about this. …”
Other people stood and applauded.
Lou couldn’t help but turn to his wife, who said he better sit down and catch his breath after the moving moment.
Lou’s wife Annette was moved by the scene.
