A Very Special Thank You!

[GulfBreezer]

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. 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 prayerfor those who cannot because they are no longer with us.

GOD BLESS AMERICA! WELCOME HOME! AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE !!!!!

[JCT777]

That's a great story, GulfBreezer! Thank you for posting it.

[GalvestonDuck]

Awesome story. Gotta wipe my eyes now. Happy tears...proud tears.

[breeze]

That brought tears to my eyes, too! God Bless
them and see them safely home!

[Lake Effect1]

what a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing !!May they all come home soon!!!

[azskyman]

My son Jason, a San Diego resident these days, has a next door neighbor named Brian. Brian is a fighter pilot...in fact a Top Gun pilot out of Mirimar there in San Diego. He has a wife (a commercial pilot) and two young sons.

A year ago right now...Brian left on the USS Constellation and sailed for Iraq. Indeed his services, and those of fellow crewmen, were needed and used.

On August 10th this year, Brian had been back for a little while, we were celebrating Emma's first birthday. Brian and his family were invited.

I took advantage of an appropriate moment, in the presence of both my grown sons, to extend a two-handed handshake to Brian and thank him for his service to our country. I reminded him I had not received a single heartfelt handshake like that, a single thank you like that, from another veteran since my return from Vietnam back on December 23, 1970.

In that moment, Brian stood facing me, reached out both of his hands for a handshake, and apologized before my sons and several others for the 33 year delay in having another veteran do just that.

Then we sat...and chatted for a few minutes...on how others around us could not possibly have a true understanding of the sacrifice that war really is.

I saw Brian briefly on my last trip out...from across the yard. He's transferring to Reno soon for another assignment. His wife is expecting their third child.

He may be gone when I return to San Diego on the 7th of November. So I am glad, and I think he is glad, for that little exchange. We will both remember it as special.

[azsnowman]

What a great story Sandi...Thank You! There are so many stories like this going around but non as profound as this one......yes, even I, am guilty of taking so many things for granted, I ask God everyday when I start complaining, whinning, to put me in *their* shoes and help me appreciate everything I have!

Dennis