Posted on 07/19/2006 9:14:14 AM PDT by jodiluvshoes
Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest act's of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.
Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl then she asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.
(Excerpt) Read more at kevinmccullough.townhall.com ...
well, i'm still waiting for the twins who want to wisk me away to their room for some R & R...:)
More than one factor is at work here. In the shameful 60's the 'ME' generation was feeling their oats and knew it all. Now they're getting old, and feeling vulnerable. (Maybe that military protecting their selfish butts isn't so bad now.)
I think the good guys in the 60's were too constrained by a good upbringing to speak-up when crass a-hole hippies were spitting on good men. It was assumed everybody would know these scumbags were doing something wrong. (Unfortunately garbage products like this feel no shame and one even ended up presidue 42.)
Thankfully the good guys came to realize that overpowering the spitting cursing slime is a viable option. I for one would happily endure arrest for beating the hell out of anyone who spit on a returning troop. I don't think I'm alone in that either.
Oddly enough, I was part of the same type of thing last year in...of all places...Ireland.
I was headed home after a business trip and was in Shannon, Ireland waiting to board when a group of Marines in desert fatigues debarked from their plane and were headed into the terminal on the other side of a row of plexiglas windows seperating our two "tunnels".
I turned towards the Marines and waved to them. I then started to applaud. There was a long line of them...perhaps 100 or so...so I kept applauding.
There were approximately 20 other people in my area waiting to embark and ALL of them started applauding as well.
I didn't know it then...but now know that not all were Americans headed home. There were some Irish lads headed to the US for vacation...I spoke with on the plane ride back to the States.
It is a memory that will stay with me always.
It must make them feel good.
In my last years on duty (I transferred to the ING this year on my way to retirement), I found that if the guys and I went anywhere in uniform... I mean even to the Chinese buffet... complete strangers would come up to us, thank us for serving, and ask us about what it was like "over there." We had only been to Afghanistan, so we couldn't tell them much about Iraq.
Frequently the people who spoke to us were vets themselves or had sons or daughters in the service. They were every race and age in America (which is saying a lot). Our armory was in a mostly minority, economically collapsed Connecticut River Valley mill town, in the liberal bastion of Massachusetts. No doubt there were people who opposed and loathed us, but they didn't take it up with us directly...for some reason.
It's a little embarrassing when people laud you in public. I used to try to take it in good grace, thank people very much for their sentiment, and say that the Army is only strong because the nation is strong, and if you do your best at whatever you do, you're helping.
The recruiters, who are friends, tell me that they have more young men and women volunteering than theyy could ever put in, but what's driving them nuts is the mental and physical standards, which are much higher than when I joined in the seventies. (Heh). For example, if you have a family history of shellfish allergy, you're rejected, even if you personally don't have the allergy.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
The Walkie Talkie thing is kinda strange. I guess it could be a Sat phone
I recall some militart freepers telling about going into restaurants in uniform and having people buying drinks and dessert, etc for them... to the point after awhile they had to politely say know.
When I'm in an airport I have some $5s with me and if I see a GI I'll tell him get coffee or whateve on me...
I recall some militart freepers telling about going into restaurants in uniform and having people buying drinks and dessert, etc for them... to the point after awhile they had to politely say know.
When I'm in an airport I have some $5s with me and if I see a GI I'll tell him get coffee or whateve on me...
Now, if we would only fight the war.
Of course, while I do not begrudge all of the adulation and expression of good will many of our military are receiving from an appreciative public, I cannot but feel a tinge of jealousy, when I remember our own homecomings as well as movement throughout the country--whether on leave or in transit to another assignment.
Of course I'm wise enough to know all of the reasons for the difference and believe me, I (and many of my brothers and sisters) will do anything to insure that today's heroes are accorded the respect and acknowledgment they justly deserve (and never again have to be subjected to what we were) for serving their country in such perilous times.
Sadly, this will not get much (if any) play on the mainstream media.
God Bless and protect our Military, wherever they may be.
I was at a restaurant in Florida a few weeks ago. To Air Force guys were eating. I told the waitress that I wanted their bill. She ignored me and gave the bill to the airmen. I didn't want to embarrass them so I let it slide.
Of course, while I do not begrudge all of the adulation and expression of good will many of our military are receiving from an appreciative public, I cannot but feel a tinge of jealousy, when I remember our own homecomings as well as movement throughout the country--whether on leave or in transit to another assignment.
Of course I'm wise enough to know all of the reasons for the difference and believe me, I (and many of my brothers and sisters) will do anything to insure that today's heroes are accorded the respect and acknowledgment they justly deserve (and never again have to be subjected to what we were) for serving their country in such perilous times.
Sadly, this will not get much (if any) play on the mainstream media.
God Bless and protect our Military, wherever they may be.
what was her problem?
Not sure you want that around Baltimore ... not everthing is curable these days.
Chinese restaurant. I guess "Do not give those Air Force guys their bill, I want to buy their lunch" just wasn't clear enough.
USA! USA! USA!
Shame on that waitress!
A few months ago, I was having breakfast and there was a young man in uniform having breakfast with his parents. I told my waitress I wanted to pay for his breakfast. She said, "He ordered the 'American breakfast' (the most expensive thing on the menu)- are you sure?" I told her I didn't care if he ordered 3 or 4 - I'm paying for his breakfast. I really wanted to do that anonymously, but the waitress told him. He was so nice and thanked me for paying for his breakfast.
Yes, I also wonder that. Never, ever, did I see applause or cheers when I returned 12/67
There was one woman in the American Legion Auxillary who would speak positively of my service.
But from all the guys in the veterans groups and from all the allegedly anti-communist Republican politicians I was given the advice to
"not embarass them by ever mentioning it".
Welcome Home, FRiend, and many thank you for your service.
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