It is terrific and such a nice gesture. Thank your friend for his service for all of us, please.
I recently met a man in passing - you know, like when you talk to someone in a grocery line - and he told me he had served in Vietnam and was paying for it every day with pain. He wasn't really complaining and I don't remember how we got on that subject. I started to take my leave, but then turned back to him, put my hand on his arm and said, "I forgot to say something very important to you. Thank you for your service to our country."
The smile on his face was priceless; I will never forget it. I believe your friend will give you one of those smiles, too.