I have no doubt that this story is most likely true. It 's a good one.
Recently I was in the US of A, enjoying a grande breakfast (in uniform), when a gentleman approached me. Without introducing himself, he simply shook my hand and stated "I'd like to personally thank you for what you do for us".
He didn't even flinch when he heard my obviously foreign accent, as I stammered out "Sure, no problem...". I was very embarrassed, as this was the first time any such thing had happened to me. Like it or not, Americans are proud of the military.
It beats back home, when the public ask me what time the next bus comes in... or glare at me.