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 BLESS AMERICA!
WELCOME
HOME!
AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!
Total United States Military Fatalities
As of:
