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I thought I would share a posting I put on facebook two years ago. It is still relevant today.

Memorial Day weekend has become one of my favorite special weekends. For so many years I treated it like any other holiday - it was a time to reflect on the reason, and then get on with the weekend. But after the experience I had several years ago, it has become a weekend of being attuned and aware of those that sacrifice(d) parts of their life, limbs, and obtained scars of battle. Now, I do my best to focus my weekend on the needs of those that served, or are still serving. I owe a debt that i can never repay.

Two years ago I wrote about my “conversion” experience of a few years before that. It is below.

“Guy Jackson
July 1, 2015 ·

“A few years ago I was asked to go to Fort Benning to pin a Nephew’s “Ranger” tab on his sleeve at Ranger Graduation. He completed the rigorous training after West Point, and before two tours in Afghanistan. After initially protesting his choice (I told him it was something his parents should do) he successfully persuaded me to be the one. He told me that completing Ranger School was more about endurance than strength or speed; and, he said, I had endured more than anyone he knew. I told him that he must not know many people. But, this is not about him. Lessons I’ve learned from him will be written about in the future.

“This story is about the incredible man I met while traveling to Fort Benning.

“I left Oklahoma City on an airplane that was completely full. As was my custom, I took my aisle seat. I was toward the rear of the plane (behind the wings) about Row 24-25. Next to me was an older man (I later discovered he was 83 years old) that appeared fit. I did notice he had hobbled as he was coming down the aisle. He reminded me of a few of my clients. My itinerary was to fly to Memphis, and then continue on to Birmingham, and motor to Fort Benning.

“Shortly after wheels up, I began a conversation with him. He was traveling to Memphis for the wedding of a grandchild. His wife of 50+ years had died the year before, so he was traveling alone. He told me he didn’t fly often; the last time was in 1946. I thought nothing of it and we continued talking about his Granddaughter.

“He asked me about my planned travel. I shared with him about my Nephew graduating from Ranger school. He seemed to become more interested. I told him with pride that my Nephew had selected me to pin his tab on his shoulder. He was very familiar with the process, and assured me it was quite an honor that I was asked. When he heard about my Nephew, and some of my comments in support of our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, the wall collapsed. His story came out.

“John (that is the only name he ever gave me) was a survivor of D-Day. You might recall that D-Day was the day on which the expulsion of Germany from Europe was launched. He had been in the initial assault. He was one of the few survivors landing on Omaha Beach. History tells us there were over 10,000 casualties that day, and almost 4,500 deaths. He shared with me the fear, and the proud patriotism he had as a young man. He shared with me the macabre scene of landing in water, wading through blood and bodies, and scaling a wall to get into the fight.

“He was a small part of a “team” that would liberate the world. He was on the point of the spear. He undoubtedly saw more in two days than most of us see in a lifetime.

“John beamed with pride about my respect for him, and my Nephew. He told me he had no regrets for anything he had done. We discussed the difference in our generations, and the undercurrent that is not easily seen. I felt as if there were decades of emotion still walled within him. My sense was that he enjoyed telling his story, but never wanted to tell it to someone who would be rough and not cherish it. Like many in his generation, he wanted to be accepted for who he was and not for what he did.

“Towards the end of the flight I went forward to use the lavatory. While waiting, I spoke to the flight attendant at the front. I told her about John, and mentioned I thought it would be a nice gesture if he was allowed to exit the plane first.

“I returned to my seat. We landed, and taxied to the gate. When we got there, and after seat belts were unlatched, and passengers were buzzing and standing, the pilot’s voice came over the PA system. He said, “This is Captain Williams. It was a pleasure for me to be your pilot today. But I have a special favor to ask you. Today, we are honored to have among us a survivor of the D-Day invasion. Sir, all of us are deeply indebted to your service and sacrifice. I would ask that we honor him by allowing him to exit first.” Then he called him by full name, and mentioned his seat number. I suppose someone had gotten the information from the manifesto.

“All the passengers returned to their seats and started scanning the plane for the real, live, hero.

“I nudged John, and told him we were all waiting for him. Wiping his tears he mumbled “Thank you.” He departed the plane. As he got to the front door, the pilot and co-pilot (both retired Air Force) emerged from the cabin and gave a robust salute; a salute of respect.

“The remainder rose and left. When I got to the front door, the pilot stopped me and told me that he was glad I brought it to their attention. I exited the plane, and walked to the end of the ramp. John was there, waiting for me. He had more tears. The pilots had radioed ahead of landing, and hundreds of travelers had gathered at the gate to welcome this hero. He was moved beyond any expectation. So was I.

“I’ve not seen John since that day. But, I think of him every June 6. There were several attributes he had that was part of his DNA.

“LESSONS:

“1. Making sacrifices for others could affect much more than we think.
2. Sometimes we are so self-absorbed that we don’t recognize the greatness of others that surround us.
3. Great tasks require great commitment from small components.
4. It is never to late to say Thank You.
5. The cost of recognizing supreme sacrifice is negligible.
6. Others will happily join in, if someone shows vulnerability. It empowers others.

“John had an exciting story. I’m glad he shared it with me. I’m confident he had been recognized before, but never without pre-warning, and never at an airport gate. His tears reflected the depth of the love he had/has for his country. I’m glad fate put us together for 2 hours. I continually marvel at the trust he and his fellow soldiers had in their superiors. They had their role, and they unselfishly completed their job.”

So, this weekend, pay extra attention to those who served. You might remember that I wrote about Steve (a homeless vet living in a tent city in San Diego) a few weeks ago. I’m going to San Diego next weekend and look for him again.

Those that read this, and are among those who served our country, thank you.