Since September he's been printing business cards that thank troops and veterans for their service. Glasgow plans to get the cards to the estimated 3 million service men and women in addition to 24 million veterans across the country.
The Lakeland resident recently got a boost from former presidential candidate Ross Perot, who kicked in $10,000 for Glasgow's effort. Cards have been sent all over the nation, Glasgow said, from New York to California, and some have made their way to Iraq and Afghanistan.
It all began at an August reintegration training seminar for community leaders, families and others who want to help ease soldiers' transition back home from military life. A woman spoke at the event, saying that even three years after returning from duty, a thank you from someone meant so much, Glasgow recalled.
"Americans want to say thank you, especially Minnesotans," he said. "But they don't know how to do it without interrupting them. If a soldier walked in and we started clapping, they might feel uncomfortable. But you can just walk up and drop off a card."
Washington County Commissioner and veteran Gary Kriesel said Glasgow brings boundless energy to the endeavor.
"I think it's amazing," Kriesel said. "The guy bleeds red, white and blue. There couldn't be a better guy to move that forward."
The front of the card features a yellow ribbon and the message of thanks. National Guard Chaplain Maj. John Morris wrote the message on the back of the card.
"Dear American Hero, I am not certain as to how to express my gratitude for all you have done to secure my freedom. Please accept this simple card as a small token of my appreciation. A grateful American citizen."
"I just took (Glasgow's) sentiments and put them into words," Morris said.
In his travels around the nation with the National Guard, Morris said he has personally given out thousands of "those phenomenal cards." He keeps a pocket full of them at all times.
The response from soldiers and veterans has been "speechless amazement," Morris said. He praised the cards as being "trans-generational," thanking everyone from World War II veterans to those returning from combat today.
There have been many efforts to thank troops, Morris said. "But this is the most unique, user-friendly thing that I've seen."
Glasgow, who served in Tokyo as an airman first class in the Air Force from 1963-1967, has been in touch with high-ranking military officials since he began the card campaign. Col. Larry Phelps, a commander at Fort Hood, Texas, wrote Glasgow asking for a surplus of the cards. "Probably 20,000 is enough," Phelps wrote.
Recalling the reception some Vietnam War veterans received when they returned home, Glasgow said he and Morris recently bumped into a vet at McDonald's. Morris gave the man a card and the veteran almost immediately began crying.
"They've never been thanked," Glasgow said of Vietnam War vets. "I can't hand out these cards without getting tearful eyes. ... Once you've been in the service, you never lose that love for the flag."
Bayport Printing is producing the cards. When John Ziton, a salesman with the company, heard about the plans he did his best to keep the cost of producing the cards as cheap as possible.
"It's just my way of helping out, I guess," Ziton said. "I thought this would be something showing the good side, instead of all the negative stuff you see in the media every day."
This weekend Glasgow plans to set up a nonprofit business to help manage the cards and their distribution. Plans are also in the works for a Web site: www.dearamericanhero.com and other ways "to keep this thank you going," he said.
Wearing a hat adorned with an American flag and a red, white and blue jacket, Glasgow said, "I'm a simple guy," and would have been happy to hand out the cards himself. He's been amazed by the response from people.
"This has got legs of its own already," Glasgow said.
Glasgow said he doesn't give his thoughts on the Iraq War and just wants to thank soldiers and veterans.
"Wars are political," he said. "This is about our sons and daughters."
Richard Glasgow hopes each soldier and veteran in the U.S. gets one of the business cards he has created to show his appreciation for their service. "Americans want to say thank you, especially Minnesotans," he said. "But they don't know how to do it without interrupting them. If a soldier walked in and we started clapping, they might feel uncomfortable. But you can just walk up and drop off a card."
