Applause in the Airport? Beyond the Beer Commercial ... It Happens ... It Really Happens

Agape Press ^ | 02/10/05 | Matt Friedman, Ph.D.

[Conductor]

On a trip last November from Mpls to Houston Tx, I had to fly back through Dallas/Ft Worth airport. I had to change planes and had a 2.5 hour layover. During that time there were many army solders working their way through the airport. There were two more senior solders in their early 30's who were going to be on my flight. I soon learned they were on their way home (Mpls area) from Afghanistan, and were standing off to the side maintaining a low profile.

Next a group of younger solders showed up...They were going to be on this same flight. They were quite vocal saying things like...."My mom is cooking up the biggest dinner for me", and "My friends said they'd be waiting for me". Well it didn't take long for all those in the area to find a reason to talk with these solders. We all wanted to hear about their experiences. These solders were in uniform with dust still on their backpacks. Two women wanted to know about their equipment which they were all to happy to explain.

There continued to be commotion around the gate as more people showed up for the flight. The ticket agents soon had their hands full as many were stepping forward to surrender their first class tickets for these brave solders. While I do have complaints about service from Northwest Airlines...in this particular case the gate agents could not have been more cordial and professional, seeing to it that every exchange was accommodated.

The flight ended up delayed for about 20 minutes due to a mechanical problem, but that was soon fixed and the gate agent announced the boarding....as she finished her announcement one of the younger solders yell out very sharply and clearly....."And God Bless America". To which many in the gate applauded.

As I bordered the plane one of the younger solders who I had visited with pointed me to the back of the plane as he was clearly enjoying his first class seat. He said this is the first time he's been in a padded seat in months. I told him to enjoy it for he deserves same.

I was lucky enough to sit near one of the more senior solders in the coach portion of the plane. I asked why he didn't pull rank and take one of the first class seats. He said those kids deserve those seats....given the uncomfortable ride they had back to the states....(I personally cannot tell you how struck I was by his comments and concerns for these kids).

After we were in the air awhile this solder pulled out a laptop and asked if I wanted to see pictures from Afghanistan. He had dozens of same, but also some video of a himself next to a humvee. He pointed to the video and said now watch this....while they were filming they came under rocket attack. The video jumps around as he crouches next to the vehicle. The picture rights itself and it shows a number of explosions around the area....then the camera pans to the side of a mountain where return blasts could be seen. He spoke so casually about the event, and I said weren't you scared...he said we all have our jobs to do, and while some random fire does occur, he said he knows that our well trained troops and our technology will triumph. I was speechless....

As we were preparing to land one of the flight attendants stated the obvious in recognizing the troops during her announcement. The roar and applause from those of us on board was very loud and the yells very sincere.

As we departed the plane the solder I had been sitting next too exited the plane together. He told me his wife was due with a child any day and he hopes she didn't give birth till he got home (St Cloud MN). When I heard this I asked a favor of him....I asked if I could shake his hand, so I could wish him and his wife well, and thank him for his service.

I was walking past security and started down the steps to the baggage claim area....I soon saw multiple balloons and signs. There were hugs and kisses going on as these solders met their families and friends. I can't tell you how emotional I became as I walked through this group. I soon discovered it wasn't just me....others were busy taking in this moment as well....

Now my story is clearly too long already, but when I saw that Bud commercial during the Superbowl it brought every one of these great memories back to me. Thanks God for our brave solders who stand in harms way for each one of us....And God Bless America.

[Mears]

I have a confession to make. During the Vietnam war I was an anti-war Democrat(not an activist,too busy with family) and at that time I was filled with DISGUST for the way our troops were treated when they returned home.I just didn't get it.

That was the beginning of the end for me and my formerly liberal ways.

Thanks for the ping and nice to read something positive for a change.

[cubreporter]

Salutes, applause, cheers...all for our heroes. God bless them.

[Two-Bits]

I love that show.

[TexasTaysor]

Did you see the two college morons on Hannity & Colms last night? Two of the group that rioted against the recruiters at their college.....they sounded like they'd been taught by Churchill. The stupid comments they made infuriated me. I wanted to rip the TV off the wall and throw it out the back door.

Someone needs to get a hold of those kind of young people and shake them good. They couldn't comprehend how our military keeps them safe and free and has provided them with the freedoms they enjoy right now.

[Chuckster]

I was at DFW recently, returning home from a business meeting, when a group of 25th Infantry Division troops came through security. Having served with the Tropic Lightning, I struck up a conversation with them and asked it they were heading back to Hawaii or going the other way. It turned out they were headed either back to the ME or on R&R so they were going both directions. I thanked them for thier service and told them that no one would ever treat them the way they treated us. No RVN Vet would allow it.

[Chuckster]

Unfortuntely there still are the jerks who insult our Troops and spit

It had better not ever happen in front of me. I am sure I would wind up being arrested.

[Chuckster]

I've got to get off this thread. My secretary is starting to look at me funny. Must be all the sobbing and tears.

[CATravelAgent]

-- Here's the link to "Applause"...

http://www.budweiser.com/commercials_05/select_media.html?c_id=3

Oh crap! s'pose this means I got to start drinkin' Bud.

[GretchenM]

bump

[SAMWolf]

Screw the EuroTrash and the Leftists here at home.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Wow. That was a really wonderful article, and so good to read! Thanks!

When our troops came home from ODS, our Wisconsin crowds were massive to greet any and all flights into our air bases in Madison, Milwaukee and Camp Douglas. I worked in Family Support at the time, so I was there for nearly every single Homecoming. It never got old.

I totally, completely, 100% blame the media for the less than stellar Homecoming reception some of our troops will receive. It still AMAZES me that anyone, ANYONE, would not want to throw themselves at the knees of a service member and thank them a thousand times over for all they've done.

Americans can be self-absorbed, small-minded, bitter and clueless. We haven't even begun to make up for the way Viet Nam Vets were treated.

I'm retired Army, enlisted right at the end of Viet Nam, and it just breaks my heart as an American First that people aren't more appreciative and informed about why a strong military is important to our country.

Maybe the military itself needs a better PR Machine to combat the MSM pukes? It is good to see these small examples of people rallying to support the troops, though, so all is not lost. :)

[CyberAnt]

And .. this is why the bloggosphere erupted when Eason Jordan claimed these honorable young people were targeting journalists.

[Ramcat]

Welcome home and Thank You!

[tsmith130]

I've got to get off this thread. My secretary is starting to look at me funny. Must be all the sobbing and tears.

E-mail her a copy of the article. ;o)

[OldSgt.]

"No RVN Vet would allow it."

Ya, you got that right Brother!!!!

Back in July, I had to come down to FL, My goddaughter's Husband had gotten wacked outside of Baghdad. On the way down, passing through Atlanta's AP, there were a bunch of troops, Guys and gals coming back on R&R. It was really GREAT the way the Public warmed up to them, wishing them well and the like. It really made me feel good too, knowing that THEY would and should never be shunned and worse, like I and many of us were way back then.

My nefue is over there now, and If I ever see anybody dis one of Our troops maybe I'll be able to plead Temp Nam vet insane, ya know they thought we were anyway. NOT

[CyberAnt]

And .. I'll bet most of the volunteers are former Vietnam members or their families who remember how the Vietnam men were treated .. and they have vowed it will never happen again.

[Warrior_Queen]

<> My thoughts exactly! I personally escorted a soldier to his taxi when I heard about how some jerk treated him while he was standing in line at a Burger King. I had the look and attitude that I'd gladly take on anyone. I hate that it still happens, but it does. There's even the same sad story of "Dear John" letters. I hate to say it but I heard that too often as well. We all have to love 'em and thank 'em, every chance we get. BTW, anyone in Cleveland, OH, tomorrow (Fri, Feb 18) at 6pm there will be a Welcome Home at the airport for a soldier.

[american_ranger]

I am a mean son-of-a-bitch who served in the US Army. My son is just finishing his 13 month tour in Afghanistan. He was embarrassed by the huge out-pouring of support he received in September when he was home on leave. At DFW the fire departments had two trucks spraying an arc of water over the taxi-way for the plane full of returning troops to taxi under. Inside the terminal they were met by VFW and others who thanked them and offered snacks and drinks. On the plane from Dallas to Milwaukee the stewardess offered him booze and "assumed" that he was over 21. (He wasn't.) On his departure, a middle 20s guy walked up and thanked him for his service. While home numerous people would stop and thank him (neighbors and church members who knew he was serving.)

I had to leave the room to hide my tears when that Annheiser-Busch commercial came on TV.

[Focault's Pendulum]

It's taken quite a few years. It's good to see us turning the worm.