Sometimes "Thank You" is enough...a leadership lesson from Hurricane Maria Response Operations

Today I was reminded of the power of “Thank You.” Nearly 15,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coastguardsmen have been deployed and contributed in some way to “the fight” that is ongoing in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. It’s been truly amazing to see, first-hand, the vast amount of resources and manpower this great Nation can bring to bear on a problem.

One of the units I help command is the US Army’s 597th Quartermaster Company. The 597th doesn’t get the gratification of handing out water, MREs or building materials to their recovering neighbors; they are a local US Army Reserve Laundry & Bath Company, which provides sanitary services to the nearly 2,000 First Responder Command element stationed at the San Juan Convention Center. What these 60 young Soldiers do is thankless work; they are truly unsung heroes. Every day they do God’s work...they endure 90+ degree heat while working next to industrial dryers whose effects can be felt 50’ away. They keep our responders clean, which keeps them healthy, and happy. And if you ask them, they will tell you that they are the best Laundry/Bath Company in the Army – which I can verify thru the neatly folded clothes that I receive back 6-7 hours after I drop it off. (In fact I even get a text message when it’s ready!)

Yesterday I attended their morning meeting. When I approached the folding tent (their largest area, where they fold laundry and also gather each morning), I started by simply saying “thank you.” I told them that their reputation amongst the First Responders they support is outstanding. I told them that everyone who utilizes their services know they take pride in their work. I told them that THEY are having a SIGNIFICANT impact on the recovery of Puerto Rico.

You could see the pride peak thru the sweat-soaked faces; the soldiers literally beamed at the words “thank you." I didn’t bring them any food, I couldn’t offer them any more money, and I couldn’t even give them a day off during the Thanksgiving week. All I could do was say “thank you” – and for these dedicated Soldiers, it was enough.

Happy Thanksgiving, Feliz dia de accion de gracias, from all of us in PR; we are honored to be here.

CDR Chris Hulser, US Coast Guard, Joint Task Force-Puerto Rico (JTF-PR)