Knee Deep in the Hooah!

“And who do we call on when the times are tough?” she asked rhetorically. “You need to respect them when you don’t need them, too.”

Some of the most emotional and overwhelming times for me with both of my guys has been in public when they are in uniform. Sure, there has been an occasion where some jerk feels the need to start talking loudly about how he feels about the President or the war, but that is the minority.

The vast majority of citizens we’ve encountered over the years make eye contact, smile, shake hands, thank them, or offer them whatever they have at the moment — food, money, gifts, etc. Of course the guys smile back, give them a “welcome” and tell them “no thank you” to the gifts (unless the patron pays for a meal unobserved while sneaking out the back door — which is a great way to say thank you to a soldier, by the way!)

The act of showing support to a service member in a tangible and practical way is something that people often want to do, but they are not always sure how to go about it. In Colorado, a woman known as “Java Angel” has found a niche. She supports soldiers and first responders in her area by making sure they get a free cup of coffee.

Here’s her story and what soldiers are saying about her:

‘Java Angel’ Supports Troops, First Responders

By Tech. Sgt. Cheresa D. Theiral
Colorado National Guard

Excerpt

Sgt. 1st Class Pam Ames and Sgt. John Utsey, Soldiers representing the Colorado Army National Guard, speak with Cindy Barnhill at a Starbucks Coffee store in Centennial Colo., Dec. 29. In a personal mission spanning two and a half years, Barnhill, of Parker, Colo., has singlehandedly purchased more than $15,000 worth of coffee for service members and first responders in the two communities south of Denver.

COLORADO – Some know her name. Others don’t know her at all. But many service members and first responders in two communities south of Denver know they can get free coffee at two select Starbucks locations, despite the fact they’ve never met her.

It’s a simple act, really, a cup of coffee here and there. But she sees it as more than that. It’s her own personal cause; one she has gladly undertaken for more than two years running.

She doesn’t do it for the accolades she receives. In fact, for a long time she preferred to remain anonymous. But the mystery of Cindy Barnhill wouldn’t last in the hearts of the Coloradans who have had their spirits — and autonomic nervous systems — lifted by her generous supply of caffeinated concoctions.

Barnhill, of Parker, Colo., is a prime example of an American patriot, and supporting the men and women who ensure her freedom and safety is just something she does.

“I appreciate what everyone has given back to me,” she said. “You’re letting me drive around, have my freedom. If I want to go shopping, if I want to do this or I want to do that, I can do it, and it’s because of you.”

So the simple act of buying coffee for military members, police officers, firefighters and emergency responders is just one of the ways this patriot thanks them for their selfless service.

Who is she, really?

At the Colorado National Guard headquarters in Centennial, Colo., Barnhill is known as “Java Angel,” but her friend Andrea Sedlosky has even more kind words to say.

“She’s probably one of the most kind-hearted people that I’ve ever met,” said Sedlosky. She’s just a very genuine, caring human being that won’t stop doing for others. [She] thinks about others before she thinks about herself. [She’s] unselfish, giving, non-pretentious, non-ostentatious, doesn’t look for attention; just a very simple, kindhearted person.”

“My mom and dad always taught me to have the highest respect for people,” said Barnhill as she described her upbringing. As if speaking of another world altogether, she pointed to an era that called for the utmost respect to be paid to those serving their communities and nation, whether in the military or other types of civil service.

“And who do we call on when the times are tough?” she asked rhetorically. “You need to respect them when you don’t need them, too.”

“Being out in public with Cindy is very interesting because every time she runs into anybody in uniform, she approaches them, shakes their hand, introduces herself, tells them thank you for their service, and I just stand in the background going ‘Okay, there’s another one,’” said Sedlosky. “I don’t know if I could run around and say ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,’ but she does, personally and financially.” READ MORE