prmama
09-04-03, 08:56 AM
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 lets 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 others paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about
>a few minutes delay to "me" those Heroes 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 hero's 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 BLESS AMERICA! WELCOME HOME! AND
>THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE !!!!!
>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 lets 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 others paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about
>a few minutes delay to "me" those Heroes 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 hero's 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 BLESS AMERICA! WELCOME HOME! AND
>THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE !!!!!