Feeling Patriotic Today!

Yesterday was a great day for me. It was a good reminder of why I'm in real estate and how I work for my clients. Here's what happened. 

On a particularly busy day, I posted a technical entry where I learned more from the comments in the Rain than I bargained for, met with a buyer client for a home inspection, met with another selling client to respond to a home inspection (on paper) and showed 8 houses to yet another client - all three clients are military service members. I was smiling all day, thankful for having work available while I read about other agents having to leave the biz.

As I was rushing between appointments on the freeway I was driving behind a dude on a Harley. Typical rider - leather, patches, chrome, loud pipes, red, white and blue bandana under his half helmet with a "Vet" sticker on it. I ride too and didn't really notice I stayed behind him for quite a stretch but was admiring his bike, even though it had "ape hangers" - tall handle bars, imagine the picture.

We got off at the same exit in Chula Vista and I was still behind him. Here was the cool part. He looked in his rear view mirror and I'm sure he saw my Department of Defense (DOD) officer sticker on my windshield (I'm an inactive Naval Reservist soon to retire). While the bike was still under him he stood tall and popped off the sharpest, most crisp salute directed at me that I've ever seen coming from anyone in civilian attire let alone biker garb. I smiled in awe and humble patriotism. The light turned green and he took off before I could render a salute back to him even though I was in civvies and off base. I did catch a glimpse of his enlisted DOD sticker as he turned on the next street. This wasn't as much a proud moment for an officer receiving a salute from a junior enlisted man as much as it was a nonverbal confirmation of two military men's beliefs. This fella didn't have to acknowledge me in public and in traffic, yet he did.

I feel all that much more convicted in my past service to our country and even more so to my clients, many of which happen to be Navy service members like me. But all my clients get the same service, regardless of their chosen profession. I'm just thankful for how I got to this point and for where I serve as a military man, a citizen and REALTOR®.

It's not the fourth of July and it's not military appreciation day - but if you're so inclined, thank a service member today. I'm just thankful I can return the favor to everyone through my work.

Have a great day everyone! I know I will.

Marvin de la Vega

P.S. That's my daughter Gabrielle with me last 4th of July taking a 5 mph patriotic tour of the neighborhood.