[Inspectorette]

God has brought this young man home - he will dwell in the House of the Lord forever, and we here on earth are the less for his loss.

Bless this pilot who shared with the passengers that they were being so honored to escort PFC Johnson home.

[LadyX]

Agreeing with all you said, Inspectorette.
I only wish this had been the attitude during the Vietnam Conflict, when so many of those in the military and their families were absolutely vilified.
I spent one of those years alone with three children with no support, even from the military families around me, and felt vulnerable driving in town with a base decal.

My husband was a forerunner of Air Force Special Forces over there, risking his life every single day. When he landed in San Francisco, about a hundred such warriors - 'Home' at last! - there was a contingent of college babies on hand to welcome them with shouts of "BABY KILLER" and the like - and one gal spit on him.

Still having a jungle mindset, he 'saw' an enemy and reacted without hesitation - snapped her arm.
Without a word, the warriors dragged a goodly number of them into the restroom, Airport Security watching to see that no one interfered with them.

Lessons in "Thou Shalt Not Spit in Public 101" were administered and the men emerged, police flashing thumbs up signals.

The next insult was he learned the admonishment "it would be better if you did not travel in uniform on your flights home" so the public would not be offended was truly meant.

Having to wear it to get a Military Standby Rate to go all the way across the country, he on the two flights was ORDERED by the stewardesses to sit in the very back seat of the plane - again, to not offend the sensibilities of the civilians.

After meeting every plane from Dallas all day long, the last flight from there came - again, didn't see him, heart sinking.
Then the last stewardess debarked - and at the tail end, my warrior hero.
That still generates great sadness and anger, all these years later.

God Bless those who returned from Desert Storm to a ticker tape parade, and insisted the Nam vets be included in the honor and FINALLY be welcomed home by America.

That is why I am so adamant today's military be supported, and it is wonderful to see the many on Free Republic with the same mission in life...... I so appreciate all the Freepers who actively support our troops today, and thank each and every one of you.