It will take less than thirty seconds to support a fellow Freeper who is doing a great job. Thank you.
Posted on 12/15/2005 7:20:53 PM PST by SledgeCS
This is a personal expression of a very heartwarming experience that recently had the pleasure or being a part of and having it give me hope in the future of this country.
I witnessed something on a flight from Atlanta to Denver recently that amazed me and filled me with hope.
While the plane was being backed away from the terminal, one of the flight attendants announced that there were 2 VERY SPECIAL passengers aboard the flight. There were 2 ARMY personnel returning from Iraq and when it was announced, the applause on the aircraft was extremely loud and long. There were a few boos but they did not seem to last long. I will guarantee this, the cheer to boo ratio were about 95% to 5%, and the 5% did not enjoy the long 4hr+ flight back to Denver.
One of the ARMY personnel had not been home for 1 year and had a 5 year old and a 10 year old. I cannot think of a better 2way family present then to be reunited for the holidays. The other personnel, who did not express much about himself, was treated and praised as much as the one with the kids.
The majority of the people on the plane, including all the flight crew, approached the 2 ARMY returnees and thanked them with many a handshakes and hugs. A lot of questions were asked of them, mainly how long have you been there, who are you returning to and such. Every person that approached them and asked questions was supportive and thankful of there service but one.
Then one person, that seemingly went up to thank them and ask a question, unexpectedly SCREAMED "HOW MANY BABIES DID YOU RAPE AND DISMEMBER?" Both of the ARMY personnel looked shocked but did not react towards here, but I cannot say the same for a few other passengers. The person who had disgraced themselves was moved to the back of the plane buy a few other passengers. After about 4-5 minutes there were no further outbreaks or screaming, I believe that someone talked some sense into the sole protester.
I had the HONOR of talking with both of them and expressing my gratitude and personnel honor of meeting them and conversing with them.
I do believe that security at DIA does not allow non-ticketed persons past the security but both of the HONORED travelers were greeted with loved ones when they deplaned. One was met by whom I believed his parents and I thanked both of them and expressed my humble gratitude to both of them for the service that their son has taken on and that I was HONORED to meet them and their son. The other traveler was greeted with his wife and kids. That sight brought this old 42 year old to tears.
I do travel occasionally and hope that I see the respect and heart warming reception spread to all entry points and to all returning personnel. Also I would encourage everyone to talk to anyone and everyone in uniform and express your encouragement, thanks and your respect. This would be exceptionally well wished upon those who are leaving the great USA to serve in a different country but still protecting all of the persons in the US. Those leaving to protect us are the ones that I believe need the prayers, encouragement and the normal conversation that everyone needs.
I am not a professional writer as ye can tell but I felt that this had to be said. Myself, I feel that respect is due to those who serve this country and are willing put their lives on the line.
This is my 2-cents against the cut & run policy of the Democratic party policy that is being put forth today.
Proud to be an American; SledgeCS
Family members of military personnel are allowed to travel to the gate for both arrivals and departures.
Military Family Member Gate Passes
"Family members who want to accompany a military service member to the boarding gate or greet them at the arrival gate may receive passes to enter the secure area of the airport. While the pass provides non-flying family members access to the gate area, they will still have to pass through the security checkpoint.
Interested military family members should contact their air carrier representative at the departure/arrival airport for proper local procedures."
Thanks for posting and G-d Bless ya.
Wonderful story, Sledge. Heh, I wonder if that one lone loudmouth had an unpleasant meet-up over by the baggage claim area? :-)
Very heart warming story. It reminds me of a similiar one I had.
A couple of months ago, I was filling up my car's tank at the local Costco Gas station (Concord, Ca). Costco has the cheapest gas around and all the stations are self-serve. However, on this day, I noticed the guy in front of me (who is an American luxury car) is getting his tank filled by the Costco worker. I wondered how that could be. Then, the Costco worker finishes pumping the gas and gives the driver a salute. And as the car drives away, I noticed the car had POW license plates. Judging by his age, the driver was a POW during WWII.
Excellent!
I don't know that I could have restrained myself from punching out you know who.
I was in DFW airport a while back, and saw a soldier fumbling around at a phone card machine. I went over and gave him a twenty. He was a little embarrassed at first, but I told him it was the least I could do, and to tell his buddies that a lot of us are behind them all the way.
SledgeCS
I am ashamed that someone would have the temerity to scream that F-ing garbage in their faces. I'm sorry to say this, but that line ruined the whole article for me. If I would've been on that flight, I would've spit right in her face, I swear to God. I probably would've punched her out also. G@# DAMMIT!
Raping and dismembering babies? What a bizarre comment! Where would she have gotten something like that?
SledgeCS
The lone protester should have disembarked the air craft with
a very blue face...which they would have had ...had I been onboard.
These lefties have lost their minds. The founding fathers must be rolling in their graves.
She got it from Kerry-loving kooks.
Likewise, last Christmas we were talking to a young woman who was working at a department store. We mentioned that our son was in the Air Force and she told us that her husband was set to depart for Iraq the following week. Naturally she was concerned yet proud. My husband slipped her 50 dollars and told her to go to dinner with her husband on us. She was so incredulous that she started crying and didn't want to take it. We just said that it was the least we could do.
I hope that the applause these soldiers got on the plane and the small efforts of some will counteract the one or two idiots who disparage our troops.
I've often found myself wishing that uniformed military personnel had some sort of identifiable badge or some way to tell by looking if they've been serving in a combat area or are on their way to one. I often see uniformed soldiers travelling on the trains between NYC and Philly, with large duffle bags, appearing to be headed to or from a place of service. I'd like to make a special effort to recognize and thank those who are risking their lives many thousands of miles from home, separated from family and friends for long periods. But a lot of soldiers are simply being sent to NYC as a final destination, where they'll do routine duty in train stations and such, and many are probably small town kids who are quite thrilled to be getting to go to big famous NYC, and catch some Broadway shows in their spare time (and not have to face dodging IEDs on a daily basis). Not that I don't appreciate their service too, but it's not quite the same as the young soldiers who've just come back from seeing things that no one should ever have to see, maybe having members of their unit killed, etc., or young soldiers just heading off to a dangerous combat zone, said goodbye to family a few hours ago, while worrying it might be the last time they'd ever see them.
Thank you so much for posting this.
Earlier this week I gave my Marine neighbor our complete contact information, and told him to be sure to give me his mailing address as soon as he knows it. We saw him moving his things in boxes and my husband asked if he was moving away.
He is redeploying Jan 6th for another Iraq tour - 14 months. I told him we would like to include him in sending care packages. He seemed embarrassed... just as he did when I thanked him (with a case of his favorite beer, haha) after he waited for the paramedics with me when I had a medical emergency.
I am truly honored by these great men. They are more-often than not very humble.
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