A soldier stationed at Fort Benning took the extra step to ensure that two hungry Alabama boys had their empty stomachs filled.
Army Lt. Col. Robert Risdon was traveling back to Columbus from Mobile with football coach, Jason Gibson, when they decided to make a stop at a Taco Bell to grab some food.
While they were eating, they saw two young boys selling some type of goods inside the establishment. They were homemade sweets, and the boys were selling them to raise money for their local church. Risdon also noticed that the lads were both soaking wet like they had just gotten out of the rain.
Unfortunately, neither Risdon nor Gibson had any cash with them, so instead, the soldier approached the two hungry boys and asked them if they wanted something to eat.
What happened next was captured on video by Gibson, who posted the clip on his Facebook page.
He wrote: “I was in a taco bell tonight when two kids came in trying to sell home made desserts for money. I over heard a soldier ask the kids if they were hungry and told them to follow him to the counter, he would buy them dinner.”
In the video, the younger boy could be seen prancing around and waving to the camera with a big smile on his face, obviously feeling excited as he waited for his warm meal.
According to Gibson, the two boys chatted with Risdon and they were both very thankful and polite.
“I heard the little one say ‘I want to be just like you when I grow up’ and saluted him,”, Gibson wrote.
Aside from the two young fellows, Risdon said that he also appreciated the experience.
“I thought it was amazing. A 9-year-old boy is coming up to me and saying you protect us. You take care of us… They have inspired me as much as I have made them feel good by filling their bellies a little bit,” he said to WTVM.
Gibson was compelled to share the clip so people will feel inspired, and for others to know that our soldiers are there to look out for us.
“I had to video it and share. Our troops are always taking care of us,” Gibson wrote.
But for the hero of this story, his deed was something that was not worthy of praise.
He told The Huffington Post: “I’m kinda embarrassed and humbled by the praise and don’t need it. I am a believer that we live in the best country in the world with the best people and that acts of kindness happen every day.”
We salute Army Lt. Col. Robert Risdon for his genuine act of kindness! Despite all the negative news that we hear every single day, there are a few guaranteed to restore our seemingly lost faith in humanity – just like this story.
We hope that the young boys learn to pay it forward. And if ever they become soldiers in the future, may they emulate Lt. Col. Risdon who showed them the true meaning of service.
Watch the clip below of Lt. Col. Risdon as he let the lads choose their meal.
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