Posted on 12/12/2007 7:33:07 PM PST by Pharmboy
I was on a 5:45 PM flight from Atlanta to Newark, NJ on Delta tonight. As I went to my seat in row 44, I passed by a young man in fatigues (he was in row 42) and, as any Freeper would do, thanked him for his service and asked him if he was going to be home for the holidays. He said "yes I will be" and I wished him a merry Christmas and took my seat.
As we were landing, the flight attendant said that we had a young army man just back from Iraq who was coming home to his wife and two kids for the holidays and could we all remain seated so he could get off the plane first.
The entire plane erupted in applause (he was a bit embarrassed in his humility), but when the plane got to the gate NO ONE MOVED and he got off first to ANOTHER round of applause.
Just had a visit to SeaWorld, San Diego. Before every show they dedicated it to our servicemen, for their service to our great country and to the firemen, who served in the recent fires. They even gave out free tickets for the firemen and their families. Thanks SeaWorld.
PS... they even play Christmas Carols over the loudspeaker throughout the park.
What a great story; it pulled at my heartstrings :) Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.
What a wonderful story. Thanks for telling us about it.
I’m reminded of the following Ad that was done some time ago and now you just lived the real thing. Very cool.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4757056050649445933
That’s great! I’m so glad he gets to spend Christmas with his family!
Thank YOU for your service!
ping
Thanks , I am grateful for your kindness......I return such courtesies to folks who support and sacrifice here at home for all our service men and women.....it’s as hard on the child, the mother, father, wife, husband and relatives as it is sometimes on the troops deployed.
Now in retirement I thank em as well yet I try and ask if I can do more....... change the oil in the family car, fix the gutters, boards or bricks that came loose, take their kids to outings with our family to give the spouse left behind some time to rest. Unless of course they’d rather get out and have fun as well...LOL !
Just watch out and help the family left behind is a burden lifted from the troops minds IMO and experience.
Be there for em if you can’t be there with em , as I know all here try too do ......:o)
Stay safe !
What a great story, Wagglebee (and Pharmboy)! Thanks for sharing it with us.
These stories make me sad and angry. I was 12 in ‘71 so not really aware of all that was happening. My uncle came back in ‘68 but he didn’t tell any stories about his reception. Thank you for your service. I for one am grateful.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.