Discounts... for me?

When I first signed up as a military wife, I was, at the very least, a little bit overwhelmed. Within a week of marrying my husband, the Army was already packing up our wedding gifts and shipping them to Alaska. I had spent the previous 21 years of my life in Dayton, Ohio, with only six semesters at a college within driving distance of the area. And after living in America's heartland for 21 years, hopping on a plane and flying to a place that didn't even have a real mall (or, in places, running water) scared me. Just a little bit.

I think our neighbors in our new Alaskan military neighborhood must have noticed, because all of a sudden, many of them started coming to my door with casseroles and cookies on those long, dark Alaskan winter days. They all told me their fun stories about the crazy places they'd lived and how much fun they'd had being military spouses. But wrapped in my fleece blanket and standing there in my long johns, I just wasn't convinced that this military life was going to be the hoot they all promised.


Until, that is, one neighbor introduced me to THE MILITARY DISCOUNT.

Now before I married into the military, I was just a plain-jane girl from Dayton, Ohio. I wasn't old enough for the AARP, I wasn't important enough for a special club card that granted me access to all kinds of special clubs and discounts around my city.

But when I joined the Army, suddenly I became cool; suddenly, I received a special brown dependent card that immediately gave me access to the world that is a Heaven to the woman: the world of discounts.

From that day on, I was pretty sure I could somehow make do in this military life. :)

Discounts are one of the massive blessings of military life. They are one of the ways that businesses and community organizations say "thank you" to our heroes in uniform, and "thank you" to their families. And those organizations are EVERYWHERE (although some chain stores vary from specific location to location). To name a few:

* Aeropostale
* The Buckle
* Dress Barn
* The Finish Line
* FootAction
* Footlocker
* Gadzooks
* Goody's
* Hot Topic
* Jos. A. Bank
* Jockey
* Kohl's
* Lerner
* New York & Company
* Nike
* Pac Sun
* Rack Room Shoes
* Timberland Outlets (active duty only)
* AutoZone
* Big 10 Tires
* Checker Auto Parts
* Kragen Auto Parts
* NAPA Auto Parts
* O'Reilly Auto Parts
* Applebee's
* Arby's
* A&W
* Back Yard Burgers
* Barnhill's
* Burger King
* Captain D's
* Carl's Jr.
* Chick-Fil-A
* Ci-Ci's
* Cotton Patch
* Denny's
* Dunkin' Donuts
* Golden Corral
* IHOP
* Java Cafe
* KFC
* Long John Silver
* Maggie Moo's
* McDonald's
* The Melting Pot
* Moe's
* Pancho's Mexican Buffet
* Panda Express
* Papa Murphy's
* Pat & Oscar's
* Pizza Hut
* Quizno's
* Red Robin
* Shoney's
* Sizzler
* Sonic
* Taco Bell
* Texas Roadhouse
* Wendy's
* Whataburger
* ATT
* Jiffy Lube
* Geico
* Sear's Portrait Studio
* Apple Computers
* Bass Pro Shop
* Champs Sports
* Copeland's Sports
* Dell
* Dick's Sporting Goods
* The Discovery Channel Store
* GNC
* Great Party
* Happy Harry's
* K-mart
* Michael's
* Play It Again Sports
* Pure Beauty
* Sally Beauty Supply
* Spencer's Gifts
* Sportsman's Warehouse
* Suncoast
* Wilson's Leather

In most locations, all you have to do is show your military ID card or ask about a military discount.

I have to admit, at first upon finding out this information, I was hesitant to use my card to receive a discount at these locations. I didn't want to be greedy, and I didn't want to demand that I get special treatment, simply because my husband served. After all, it was MY HUSBAND who served, not me, and I didn't want to take advantage of the generosity of others. I was very happy to serve without these extra incentives. (But I did have to admit, on long deployment days, they certainly did help my morale! And they certainly did remind me of the extra blessings of military life when I didn't have a husband at home to enjoy them with!)

But one day, when I was in a Taco Bell in Fairbanks, a cashier there changed my mind. I had placed my order and handed her my credit card to pay. When she asked for my ID, I handed her my military ID without thinking first.

"Mrs. Cuthrell," she said, "why didn't you tell me you were military so I could give you the discount?"

I paused for a second, trying to figure out the best way to put my feelings.

"I'm nothing special," I told her, "and I didn't want special treatment, simply because my husband serves. We both serve happily -- we don't need to take your money to feel appreciated."

She stopped, and then she looked at me.

"Ma'am, many of us will never be able to thank our soldiers for what they do. No matter what we say or do, we don't ever feel like it is enough. This is something small that we can do to say thank you. Why are you being too proud to accept our thanks? It makes us feel like our appreciation isn't good enough."

From that day on, I've swallowed my pride, at times, to accept the thanks of others. As military wives, we like to do everything ourselves, pay for everything ourselves -- be completely independent people who don't need anyone. But that day in Taco Bell, I realized that even though I might not NEED the thanks of others, I need to humble myself to graciously and lovingly ACCEPT it. And appreciate it instead of feeling too proud or self-sufficient to take it. Because that small gesture might be someone else telling my husband, "I appreciate your sacrifice for me. Here is one small way I can sacrifice for you."

And let's face it, 10 more percent in my wallet is a sacrifice I can live with. :)