That is what the Air Force Captain said to me this morning after I observed her looking at the tattoo on my leg for a while as we both waited for our coffees in the local coffee shop. I had noticed her standing there in uniform, and noticed her looking at the ink on my leg out of the corner of my eye. And then suddenly, and as though commanding me to reply, she said, "Tell me about your tattoo."

So I did.

I told her about how it is a tribute tattoo to a good friend who died this year, a friend who like myself, was a Veteran & a Patriot. How he had this tattoo and how I always liked it on him and decided after he died to get the same one in the same place. I described to her how it's the American flag under my skin, and the parts of the flag you can see are only visible because of the slashes in my leg. I described for her how some people think it's a ripped flag on my leg but it's not and how it bums me out that some people see that because a torn flag seems to me to be disrespectful.

She told me she really liked it and told me she was sorry for the loss of my friend.

I said "thank you ma'am"

It was one of the nicest, most respectful interactions I've had about this tattoo since I got it last May.

So, tell me about your tattoo(s).

If you have one and want to share what it is and it's meaning.

I am getting a tattoo of Nancy Pelosi on my left butt cheek and Charlie Rangel on my right cheek. That way they can both see my brown missiles when I let them go.