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 !!!!!
This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq. Pass it on to everyone
and pray.
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 !!!!!
This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq. Pass it on to everyone
and pray.
