- Joined
- May 26, 2001
- Messages
- 9,208
This is a great story....
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. Soldiers
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 risked their lives 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 the price paid by others for
my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" caused
by 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 (and these
are REAL heros) 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 !!!!!
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. Soldiers
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 risked their lives 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 the price paid by others for
my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" caused
by 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 (and these
are REAL heros) 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 !!!!!
