There is a restaurant in Osage Beach, Mo., that is modeled after a 1950s-era diner. The waitresses wear poodle skirts and kerchiefs tied around their necks. The 45-rpm records hanging on the wall are from the popular artists of the 1950s. Everyone is seated in booths or on vinyl chairs at pink laminate and chrome tables.

My husband and I were seated at one of the tables Oct. 31. At a table close to us were four couples who looked to be in their late 60s They were having a great time eating, taking pictures and telling stories. I overheard one telling of a fight he had with a corporal in which he had come out the victor. It made me smile to think he was reliving an incident that had to have occurred a half-century ago.

The man telling the story stood up in the middle of the restaurant and called for our attention. He said he was in the Army Rangers during the Korean War, and the other men were members of his squad. Three of them had been wounded in combat, and one had remained unscathed. But they had all fought in the war 52 years ago. This weekend was the first time they had all gotten together since 1952.

He announced to all of us that he was presenting them with a commemorative pin in honor of their time spent in service. He said he was career Army, but the others served their time and became civilians after Korea. The one thing they had in common was that they were all proud to have served their country.

As he handed out the pins to the men at the table, the entire restaurant burst into applause. A man from another table stood as the applause died down. He said what we were all feeling: how proud we were of them and all veterans who risked their lives to protect freedom.

From another table a young man of about 20 leaned over to say to the sarge, "God bless all of you for your service. We appreciate everything you have done."

There were tears in many of our eyes, including the sergeant's, and everyone burst into applause again.

My husband went to the veterans' table to shake all of their hands and tell of two of our sons who are enlisted in the Marines. As other people went over to congratulate the veterans, the sergeant went to pay the bill. The waitress pointed to a man sitting with his family at a booth by the window. "Sir, this gentleman was the first one in the line wanting to pay for all of your dinners"

The sergeant thanked him and shouted, "God bless America."

Then he leaned over to me and asked if one of my sons got to Iraq, he was to "get one of the bad guys for me." Of course those were not his exact words, because although he was now in his 70s, he had been, after all, an Army Ranger.

The veterans and their wives exited, but in a room full of strangers they left behind a group of people who now felt a renewed patriotism and deep appreciation for all of our country's veterans.

Deborah Hasheider is a Cape Girardeau resident.