This came to me from Dick Brewer. It certainly fits the category of Original Style Shaggy Dog, and it may contain a colonel of truth.

In a small town near Washington DC, a barber opened his shop for business. A young enlisted Marine comes in to get a “high and tight”. The barber asked the young Marine about his service, and a lot of small talk takes place. After the haircut is complete, the Marine opens his wallet and the barber said, “It’s on the house, Marine. Thanks for your service to this great nation.”

The next morning as the barber goes to open his shop, there is a box on his doorstep. In the box was a note of thanks and a “SEMPER FI” bright red T-shirt.

That same morning a young sailor comes in for a haircut. The same sort of story happens. They talk about Navy and other small talk. After the haircut is complete, the sailor stands and reaches for his wallet. The barber says, “No thanks, son. It’s on the house. Thank you for your service to our country.”

The next morning as the man is opening his barber shop, on the doorstep is a box with a Navy ball cap and a thank you note.

That same day, an Air Force Colonel comes in for a haircut. He is decked out in his full dress blues. The barber is impressed and again, the same things happen … small talk about the service. When the Colonel goes to pay, again the barber says, “Not required, Sir, it’s on the house. Thanks for your service to this great nation.”

You guessed it, the next morning, as the barber went to open his shop, there on his doorstep was another Air Force Colonel!