Gurnee firefighter wants you to thank soldiers

Barry Henby says the words "thank you" mean a lot to soldiers and other U.S. military personnel when they hear it from civilians.

Henby, a Gurnee Fire Department battalion chief, says he hopes to get village residents to participate in campaign started by a Seattle man to offer thanks to a military member they might bump into while out and about in town.

Called the Gratitude Campaign, the effort was launched last year by Scott Truit. He's been encouraging Americans to place their hand on their hearts and bring it down to the belt - as a thank-you gesture - when they see a soldier.

Henby, speaking at a Gurnee village board meeting Monday night, said some friends called his attention to Truit's Web site. He said it seems like a worthwhile effort and wants to spread the word.

Gurnee is close to Great Lakes Naval Station near North Chicago, he said, which is all the more reason to participate in the Gratitude Campaign.

"I think we have a lot of people at Great Lakes who go (to Gurnee Mills). We should show our appreciation," Henby said.

Veering a little from Truit's suggestion, Henby said he'd like people in Gurnee to say "thank you" to soldiers, sailors or others enlisted in the military. He even suggested having Gurnee's police and firefighters say thanks to the military in a cable television spot.

"I think it means so much to them," Henby said.

At the Gurnee village board meeting, Henby played a Gratitude Campaign video that thanks soldiers. Trustee Hank Schwarz said suggested making an effort to have the video played over in-house monitors at Gurnee Mills.