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View Full Version : Our Troops!!!



lizzieb38
07-18-2006, 10:32 PM
I just felt this was the place to put this, cuz they're ALL always in my heart!!!


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 hono r 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!!!!!

Goob
07-18-2006, 10:50 PM
I've read that befpre and it always brings tears to my eyes. Having my best friend over there, and having just visited him home on leave, it makes me tear up. He said on his trip home that they announced their names and ranks and they too got applause.

lizzieb38
07-18-2006, 10:54 PM
It makes me tear up too, and I don't even have anyone close to me there. I just wish they all could come home!!!!

Tex
07-19-2006, 07:39 AM
One of my best friends was a marine deployed to Falusia (sp?). Thank you for posting this (even though it made me cry at 6:38 in the morning.....people at work are looking at me funny). BTW my friend is back, safe and sound. I didn't want to give the wrong impression :duh: .

Bella's Mom
07-19-2006, 02:51 PM
I've read that befpre and it always brings tears to my eyes. Having my best friend over there, and having just visited him home on leave, it makes me tear up. He said on his trip home that they announced their names and ranks and they too got applause.
I wish DH would've had a happier welcome home. He was stuck in Germany for 3 days along with another 50 service men/women because no one would give up their seats to accomodate the men and women who had been defending their country and just wanted to get home to their families. It was sad to hear him tell me that. I pray Americans continue to support their troops and show it in any way possible.

samandissy
07-19-2006, 03:33 PM
if anyone is interested, I have a couple of links to sign up as a pen pal to someone in the military. Soldiers Angels is one I joined and I need to write to my soldier at least once a week and send a package at least once a month. It doesn't have to be expensive. Let me know and I will find them and post them here. It is a great feeling to send them things like kool aid, foot powder, hard candy, pens and paper, etc.

Otto'sMom
07-19-2006, 03:38 PM
You could always send ME, your local active duty Navy Career Counselor, presents too:pray: as I am stationed out in the boonies of hurricane Katrina ravenged Mississippi with rednecks and more than 30 minutes from the nearest Target and good mall. :faint: