for the soldiers

[3imo]

 This is nice. Probably not true, but nice. Too bad they made it on of those "if you forward something good will happen to you".... POS's.
--------------------------

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!!!!!

[tussey]

that was nice

[scottpA_GS]

When I came home from Iraq someone gave me their 1st class seat  from Germany to the US


Whoever you are...


Thanks

 

[scratch]

Thank you, Scott, for your service. 

[scottpA_GS]

No Problem 

[yamahonkawazuki]

  :bowdown:scottpA_GS
World Supersport Racer
*****
Posts: 992

Location: AwEsOmE Pennsylvania

[yamahonkawazuki]

  that too

[scottpA_GS]

that too

THIS IS 999 

And because of your support I will make 1000 in this thread   

[scottpA_GS]

1000 !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 


I thank you all  I hope that I may post 1000000 more 


Thanks guys

[annguyen1981]

:bowdown:scottpA_GS
World Supersport Racer
*****
Posts: 992

Location: AwEsOmE Pennsylvania

+1

that was a nice story... there's a similar one that's being emailed around...  lemme see if I can find it.

[annguyen1981]

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

No, he responded.

Heading out I asked?

No. I'm escorting a soldier home. < /SPAN>

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq.  I'm taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you.  Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier.  We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so w e can live the way we do.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Here's another one, and it's TRUE:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-me-beret17nov17,0,6688485.story?page=1&coll=la-home-headlines

seriously made me tear up..

edited to change URL

[annguyen1981]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-me-beret17nov17,0,6688485.story?page=1&coll=la-home-headlines

seriously made me tear up..

+1

[scratch]

Oh shi...   

[sys49152]

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1543658-1,00.html

Bravest Guy in al-Anbar Province — Any Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EOD Tech). How'd you like a job that required you to defuse bombs in a hole in the middle of the road that very likely are booby-trapped or connected by wire to a bad guy who's just waiting for you to get close to the bomb before he clicks the detonator? Every day. Sanitation workers in New York City get paid more than these guys. Talk about courage and commitment.

Just crazy.   

[trumpetguy]

I support our tropps 100%.  I want all of them home in the next six months. 

Not one more American family needs to go through what that young fallen Marine's family is going through.  Not one more Iraqi civilian needs to die in this unnecessary and ill-advised conflict.

We will eventually leave, and the Iraqi people will have to govern themselves.  How many more need to die before our government realizes this?

I am fearful that our elected officials did not get the message in the election.  No more "discussion" needs to be held.  There can be no "victory."  There will be no democracy exported by us.  If the Iraqi people want it, it will happen, period.

I lived through Vietnam and cannot believe we got into this one.  I guess our slow learners were elevated to high positions.

[Old Mr. Wilson]

Yes, I read that one some time ago. It really gets a lump in your throat and hurts your heart.

Here's what I want. I want our damned Representatives to get those same benefits that they give our Soldiers. It is my understanding that a Soldier's Death Benefit is paltry and pitiful (what his widow and children will get). Their pay is substandard. I don't know about the housing but I guess it comes down to "where one and his/her family is stationed". If you are gonna ask someone to give their life for their country, in my opinion, you should treat them with HIGH Standards.
Every time I think of those bastards walking around with 150-300 dollar haircuts and 1000 dollar alligator shoes, it makes me mad enough to eat shaZam!.
Every time I see that flaming liberal Ted Kennedy on TV on some kind of damn committee with a #2 pencil in his hand, I want to kick his fat ass up between his shoulder blades. Why?
Because that sonofabitch has a 600 dollar Mont Blanc pen/pencil set inside his coat. He wants to give the "illusion" to people watching (you know, the commoners, us) that he is conservative, mindful of the taxpayers money, and is "just like us". I have gotten so mad writing this that I'm going to go outside, get a 4 inch wide bushknife and hack on a tallow tree that I dearly hate.
Thanks for the rant.

[annguyen1981]

Yes, I read that one some time ago. It really gets a lump in your throat and hurts your heart.

Here's what I want. I want our damned Representatives to get those same benefits that they give our Soldiers. It is my understanding that a Soldier's Death Benefit is paltry and pitiful (what his widow and children will get). Their pay is substandard. I don't know about the housing but I guess it comes down to "where one and his/her family is stationed". If you are gonna ask someone to give their life for their country, in my opinion, you should treat them with HIGH Standards.
Every time I think of those bastards walking around with 150-300 dollar haircuts and 1000 dollar alligator shoes, it makes me mad enough to eat shaZam!.
Every time I see that flaming liberal Ted Kennedy on TV on some kind of damn committee with a #2 pencil in his hand, I want to kick his fat ass up between his shoulder blades. Why?
Because that sonofabitch has a 600 dollar Mont Blanc pen/pencil set inside his coat. He wants to give the "illusion" to people watching (you know, the commoners, us) that he is conservative, mindful of the taxpayers money, and is "just like us". I have gotten so mad writing this that I'm going to go outside, get a 4 inch wide bushknife and hack on a tallow tree that I dearly hate.
Thanks for the rant.

Hear Hear my proud curmudgeon!!