Honoring one of our own

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[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

This was sent to me from a member of the our ANG unit.

This touching letter from a gentleman in Mobile.

I want to tell you of an experience I had last night flying home from Atlanta.

The pilot came on the intercom and went through the usual announcements telling us that "we're just east of Montgomery cruising at 28,000 feet" and "you've picked a beautiful night for flying, just look at the gorgeous southern sunset out of the right side of the plane".

He then, however, said this: "Please bear with me as I deviate from the script, but I want you all to know that simply by coincidence you have been granted both the privilege and honor of escorting the body of Army PFC Howard Johnson, Jr. home tonight.

PFC Johnson was killed in Iraq defending the freedoms we all enjoy, and fighting to extend those freedoms to the people of Iraq. We are also accompanied by PFC Johnson's cousin, Marine Major Talley, who has been chosen by the family to escort PFC Johnson home. Semper Fi!"

The plane quickly became very quiet, but soon erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for several minutes. It was quite moving, to say the least. As I sat there thinking about what the pilot had said, and visualizing PFC Johnson's dead body riding below me in the belly of that plane, I noticed a couple of things.

Two rows in front of me sat a father holding his daughter, an infant, and they were practicing "ma-ma" and in the row behind me was another young boy, probably 2 or so, learning to count to 10. Now obviously both are too young to realize we're at war, or that one of our dead was with us, but it made me think, and this is the point: These warriors, mostly young, all volunteers, everyday are prepared to give their lives for our future, for a safer, more secure future for people they don't even know, all based on the principle that fighting and dying for this country is worth it.

You all know and agree with this, but not everyone does, so I would ask that if you meet anyone that's not "onboard" with this philosophy, i.e. the protesters to which Bob* refers, that you correct the situation".

By the way, the flight ended with all of us deplaning only to line the windows of the gate house to watch PFC Johnson's body, draped in the American flag, be rolled out of the plane and into a waiting hearse that was surrounded by his family members.

Please pray that our soldiers' sight is acute, their aim is true, and that as many come home as God can spare.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

AMEN!

God be with this family and with the other families that are experiencing this grief. Please remember what these mem died for: the many freedoms that we enjoy.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Mem = men

It's hard to type with tears in the eyes.

[justshutupandtakeit]

At least I can write this through the tears. OUTSTANDING.

[Mr. Silverback]

The fallen...

[WorkingClassFilth]

Thanks for sharing this news.

A pilot honoring a fallen American hero during his Captain's remarks and the tremendous reception of the passengers is a great cultural affirmation. I'm afraid that it isn't beyond imagining if we had a President like Gore and the Left was advancing its agenda, these things would be suppressed and/or punished for PC reasons.

God bless that Marine and his family and God bless America.

[Johnny Gage]

*speechless*

This gets a:

. . . . . . . Johnny Gage MEGA PING . . . . . . .

Freep mail me if you want off my list

[Aeronaut]

Thanks Johnny.

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

Thanks Johnny...... BUMP!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[SAMWolf]

Thanks bunches for the Ping Johnny and thanks for the great post notpoliticallycorewrecked

[Badray]

Thanks for relating this. Thank God that most people do 'get it'.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

I am willing to bet that the pilot is prior military.

[Grampa Dave]

God Bless Army PFC Howard Johnson, Jr., his cousin Marine Major Talley, and all of our brave service people who have fallen and those who still serve.

Bless this pilot for doing what he did!

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping!

[Bigg Red]

Very touching. Prayers for our brave fighting men and their families.

[anoldafvet]

Last night I took my wife to dinner at a local restaurant. As we were sitting there talking, I noticed an Army corporal and his wife sitting at a table across the room. I called the waitress over and told her I wanted to pay for their dinners. She said there was a problem, three other people had also said they wanted to do the same thing (must have been Freepers), we wound up spltting the bill four ways. When they left, his wife was in tears.

[cherry_bomb88]

((((((ping)))))))

Thanks for the good tears, "PPCW"

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

That is so cool. It is FINALLY a great time to not only be an American, but be in the military.

I don't think that anyone is going to spit on these men and women returning from the Middle East. If they do they just might not be able to talk about it for a few weeks. They will be in traction while they are healing from their injuries from the mob scene.

[Pippin]

Thanks, Johnny!

I'm speechless too!

[Tennessee_Bob]

I've shared this with some of the folks I work with - thanks for posting it.

God Bless America!