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View Full Version : At Least Some are getting "Respect"



redneck13
02-12-06, 12:07 PM
Subject: Best email this year




I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be a long, uneventful flight home.

With the huge capacity and slow moving people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them, I simply shook my head knowing that this flight was not starting out very well. I was anxious to get home to see my loved ones so I was focused on my issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to get their act together.


I knew I couldn't say a word so I just thumbed thru the "Sky Mall" magazine from the seat pocket in front of me.
You know it's really getting rough when you resort to the over priced, useless sky mall crap to break the monotony.
With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin door open and no one in any hurry to get us going although we were well past the scheduled take off time.
No wonder the airline industry is in trouble I told myself.



Just then, the attendant came on the intercom to inform us all that we were being delayed.



The entire plane let out a collective groan.



She resumed speaking to say "We are holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to the plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes.



The word came after waiting six times as long as we were promised that I was finally going to be on my way home.


Why the hoopla over "these" folks?



I was expecting some celebrity or sport figure to be the reason for the hold up ..


Just get their butts in a seat and let's hit the gas I thought.



The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and excited voice that we were being joined by several U.S. Marines returning home from Iraq !!!




Just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause.



The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340 people cheering for them as they searched for their seats.




They were having their hands shook and touched by almost everyone who was within an arm's distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her.



The applause, whistles and cheering didn't stop for a long time.


When we were finally airborne, I was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in "me" getting home, finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand



These men had done for all of us and I had been complaining silently about "me" and "my" issues I took for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and the conveniences of the American way of life.


I took for granted that others had paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" while those Heroes were going home to their loved ones.




I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order and minutes before we landed, I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a request for everyone to remain in their seats until our heroes were allowed
to gather their things and be first off the plane.



The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off and we all rose to go about our too often taken for granted everyday freedoms.



I felt proud of them.



I felt it an honor and a privilege to be among the first to welcome them home and say "Thank You for a job well done."



I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the lesson learned. I can't say it enough, THANK YOU to those Veterans and active servicemen and women who may read this and a prayer for those who cannot because they are no longer with us.


GOD BLESSAMERICA!

WELCOME HOME! AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!






Pass it on to everyone and pray.

GySgtRet
02-12-06, 12:54 PM
wind'nface,

I have read this several times. It starts my eyes to start to leak some. This story has circulated maybe 10 times and I've read all 10 times. There is no variance to it, it has the same verbage as the first time and the same meanings too...!!

lovdog
02-12-06, 01:07 PM
That was really GREAT!! "I mean really GREAT"!!!!! We sometimes need an article like this to snap us back to reality!! The true lessons of war - its not listening to CNN or Congress bicker constantly or the President or Rumsfeld trying to explain what we are doing. These are men and women returning from war - most are volunteers too!! The unspoken heroes doing their part to protect not only "our" freedoms but the freedoms of the world!!!! Its true, the world is now a safer and more protected place thanks to the courtesy and sacrifice of our military that every day go out and do their job, risking all!!!! Most connot even fathom the struggle that our troops face - and whats even more astonishing, they do it willingly!! Into the valley of death, over & over again - they continue to do their job facing the enemy - all they ask in return is a simple handshake and shown a little respect for their service.
My son just made the trip back from Afghanistan - I couldn't be prouder!!! To him its like - "no big deal dad" - to me - its a problem keeping my heart inside of my chest!! "Our warriors are big time heroes - every last one of them"!! Makes you proud to "be" an American - these so young, and so brave!!
I used to wonder sometimes why I had lived thru Viet Nam and others had perished instead and try to justify in my mind what my purpose was in life?? When I think of my son - I know the "real" reason now!SF

redneck13
02-12-06, 01:12 PM
Yes Sir. It makes my blood boil. And it also makes my eyes start to leak too. You know, it is worse than how they treated us, Land Of OZ, returnee's (OZ=Nam). At least we could see it. We didn't have to go thru this "non-thankful" thing, just to buy a can of pop, or maybe get some gas. These camel jock's? Are they over here as "spie's?" Or did they come here to get away from what so many have given their lives for? As the Hag said; Love it or leave it!! I'd like to put a big P.A. system out in front of this rag head's places, with Hag's song-----"Let this Song be a Warnin'" SF Gunny.

redneck13
02-12-06, 01:28 PM
lovdog? Dat burn, I'm so glad your Son is back. Tell him from me....."THANKS!!" Tell him for me....."I'M PROUD OF HIM!!" You, and the wife? I know it has to be a big relief. I too often wondered, "why did I come back?" "I understand more now." "God Bless all of you, and Especially your Son. Sf

hrscowboy
02-12-06, 04:49 PM
This really makes an old cowboy tear up for sure i know when my 2 sons returned from the sand box that i was damnnnn proud of what they had done and been thru. Today myself and the little lady went out for breakfast and i learned that there was a young man home from the sand box and him and his mother and father was sitting right behind us. Even though I had my Marine Corp hat on this young man walked up to me and said thank you for what you had been through because his father told him that I was a vietnam vet.
With that i stood up and told the waitress that i wanted this young mans check and I bought his dinner along with his parents and said to this young man NO i want to thank you for what your doing for this country and looked him straight in the eyes and said Semper Fi and he said I am not a Marine sir but I will always be Faithful to my Country.