Similar feelings -- I was one signature away (literally) from flying for the Navy, which I'd wanted to do for just about ever. My father and all uncles on both sides of my immediate family had served, and it was something I was just going to do... then I had a couple of unique opportunities come up and weighed where I might be 10 years later if I was flying vs. if I'd taken the other options.
I don't regret the choice, I'm not ashamed for not having served my country, but I envy and respect those that do.
There have been a few times I've sent drinks to men and women in uniform standing around some bar -- but I've done it anonymously. I'd rather they believe that it could be ANYone in the bar, rather than knowing it was me.
Syracuse is reasonably close to Fort Drum (10th Mountain) and I have many friends and acquaintances stationed there, active and reserve. A group getting ready to mobilize to Afghanistan (most of whom have already done a stint in Iraq) next week stopped in at my favorite ginmill over the holidays. I shook each one of their hands, looked them in the eye and said 'thank you' and bought a round - because I knew 3 of them and wanted to do the drink with them, I wasn't anonymous.
JP