Iowan Pays For Veteran In Line at Iowa Walmart

Here's one that will warm your heart. There's a Facebook post that is quickly becoming viral showing an Iowa man paying for a veteran in line at a Walmart in Ankeny, Iowa.

According to KWWL, a woman by the name of Alana Ruthann posted on Facebook that while she was in the checkout line at the Ankeny Walmart, she looked up from her phone to notice a younger man pay for an older gentleman with a veterans cap on in front of her. She explained that the veteran was confused to what was going on at first, but then heard the younger man say "Sir, I'm paying for your items because you paid by serving my country and I'm grateful for you."

As stated in the post, the man quickly paid for the veteran and then left. Such simple show of kindess that went a long way, especially for that veteran. You can read the full story below and see photos of the interaction from post here.

There I was caught in the rush of life yesterday at Walmart Ankeny. Annoyed I was standing in a line, God forbid I wait for something in this 'instant- I need it now life'... holding a few items in my hands ready to celebrate St. Paddy's festivities, absorbed in my own world of technology, looking down at my phone, I didn't even notice the two gentlemen standing in front of me until I heard an older mans voice in confusion declare, "Wait, what is happening? What are you doing?!" I looked up from my phone to see a younger man in front of the older gentleman respond, "Sir, I'm paying for your items because you paid by serving my country and I'm grateful for you." The older man was caught off guard with a loss for words, fumbling his gloves in his hands and trying desperately to hold in his emotion, as was I. Just as quickly as he scanned his card and paid for the items, that young man said another thank you and quickly left. The veteran was still in shock as he was handed his items he asked, "What do I do now?" To which the cashier responded with a warm smile, "You have a good day!" It was that moment I realized I had TWO heroes in line in-front of me. My heart welled as I watched our veteran readjust his Veteran ball cap, straighten up, and hold his head with pride as he walked out knowing someone was grateful for him. What a feeling- in this life where we rush through with our eyes down at a screen full of negativity and disagreements - to have someone simply say "I'm grateful for you." That 20 second interaction didn't just change the veteran's day- it changed my day, as well as that cashier's- because that 20 seconds showed us by looking up and slowing down- life is pretty beautiful and surely we can find something to be grateful for. <3 Thank you Ankeny Angel- we needed you. #SpreadKindnessIowa" -Alana Ruthann, Facebook

It would have been hard not to get a little emotional seeing something like this. This story is just another reminder of how easy it is to be kind to one another and how impactful it can be. Be kind out there, Iowa!