Holding the aircraft for some very special people!

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[SandRat]

I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be a long , uneventful flight home. With the huge capacity and slow moving people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them, I simply shook my head knowing that this flight was not starting out very well.

I was anxious to get home to see my loved ones so I was focused on "my" issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to get their act together. I knew I couldn't say a word so I just thumbed thru the "Sky Mall" magazine from the seat pocket in front of me.You know it's really getting rough when you resort to the over priced, useless sky mall crap to break the monotony.

With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin door open and no one in any hurry to get us going although we were well past the scheduled take off time. No wonder the airline industry is in trouble I told myself. Just then, the attendant came on the intercom to inform us all that we were being delayed. The entire plane let out a collective groan. She resumed speaking to say "We are holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to the plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes

The word came after waiting six times as long as we were promised that "I" was finally going to be on my way home. Why the hoopla over "these" folks? I was expecting some celebrity or sport figure to be the reason for the hold up.........Just get their butts in a seat and lets hit the gas I thought. The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and excited voice that we were being joined by several U. S. Marines returning home from Iraq!!! Just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause. The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340 people cheering for them as they searched for their seats. They were having their hands shook and touched by almost everyone who was within an arm's distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her. The applause, whistles and cheering didn't stop for a long time.

When we were finally airborne, "I" was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in "me" getting home, finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand. These men had done for all of us and I had been complaining silently about "me" and "my" issues. I took for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and the conveniences of the American way of life I took for granted others paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" those Heroes going home to their loved ones. I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order and minutes before we landed I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a request for everyone to remain in their seats until our hero's were allowed to gather their things and be first off the plane.

The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off and we all rose to go about our too often taken for granted everyday freedoms......... I felt proud of them. I felt it an honor and a privilege to be among the first to welcome them home and say Thank You for a job well done. I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the lesson learned. I can't say it enough, THANK YOU to those Veterans and active servicemen and women who may read this and a prayer for those who cannot because they are no longer with us. GOD BLESS AMERICA! WELCOME HOME! AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE !!!!!

[SandRat]

Got this at work in an email and don't know if it's true but I hope it is as much as a child hopes that Santa Clause is real.

All I can say true or not is - sniff -sniff! I must be catching a cold.

[The UnVeiled Lady]

I got it too, and I agree, I hope it is true... But half way thru I thought it was about Hillary holding up a plane for a long time. I was THRILLED when I got to the part about it being Marines. How wonderful!

[The UnVeiled Lady]

I got it too, and I agree, I hope it is true... But half way thru I thought it was about Hillary holding up a plane for a long time. I was THRILLED when I got to the part about it being Marines. How wonderful!

[jern]

Truth, unknown.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/comehome.asp

Sounds good, though, and I expect nothing less from grateful Americans.

(thought this was going to be a first-person account of the plane being held for Hillary, on her way to her west-coast book signing.....)

[kimmie7]

Shoulda put a tissue alert on that one. I must have the same cold.

I too hope it's true. And if it's not, I don't want to know...

[SandRat]

You all assumed a pompass a** just like I did; except I thought of Rep Shiela Jackson-Lee of Texas. I had read the FR posting earlier in the day where she threw a hissy-fit on Continental because she couldn't get a first class row and had sit in peasant class.

[Leroy S. Mort]

'Bout time. I can recall boarding a plane in uniform in SF in '72 and not getting such a warm reception.

[CindyDawg]

Well, I had just looked at an ELFs butt so I was thinking negatively too. lol

We need more of these patriotic posts.

[freedumb2003]

*doink*

Yeah, I was expecting some self-serving celebrity or a politiican.

Thanks for the reminder that what we think isn't always so. I usually fly first class (I am a Consultant so I fly cross-country weekly), and if I am so fortunate to be delayed by such a fabulous group of folk, I'll trade seats with one of them (let them choose), and I'll be happy and proud to sit with the ones I have the priviledge to be with from the swap!

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

(please pass the Kleenex box -- your cold is contagious)

[blackdog]

Me too. I thought Lee for sure. How fitting though, that most senators hitch a ride on a corpoate bird to their home state. Lee OTOH is one foul mouthed outburst away from walking home. It says a lot about her fund raising skills huh? She can't even work for cabfare.......

[yankeedame]

My little story isn't nearly as touching as this, but about 10 or so years ago we (and everyone else on the jet) were flying back home from a (military)tour of Germany. It was a long flight.

We'd just started to circle the Philly AP - our first touchdown in the states - when the pilot crancked up the intercom and out came Chuck Berry's "Back in the USA"*

The everyone on the plane went wild! Hooting,whistling, cheering! It's like a light switch had been switched on.
(grin) Even to this day I never hear that song without breaking out in a big grin.

* Back In The USA

Oh well, oh well, I feel so good today,
We touched ground on an international runway
Jet propelled back home, from over the seas to the U. S. A.

New York, Los Angeles, oh, how I yearned for you
Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge
Let alone just to be at my home back in ol' St. Lou.

Did I miss the skyscrapers, did I miss the long freeway?
From the coast of California to the shores of Delaware Bay
You can bet your life I did, till I got back to the U. S. A.

Looking hard for a drive-in, searching for a corner caf
Where hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day
Yeah, and a juke-box jumping with records like in the U.S.A.

Well, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
Yes. I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
Anything you want, we got right here in the U.S.A.

[SandRat]

Stop it! You're making my cold worse!

Lots of miles over water in both compass direction from CONUS to OCONUS and back.

[MediaMole]

I talked with a soldier who just returned from Iraq. He was very surprised when he arrived with his unit in Maine and the plane was met by a huge cheering crowd. The unit just landed there to change planes and had no connection with the community.

[SandRat]

Pass the Kleenex would you? This cold is making my eyes water and, . . . . my throat seems to have a lump in it.

Almost like every time I see the colors pass in a parade, hear the “Star Spangled Banner” played, hear “Taps blown” or “a lone piper plying Amazing Grace.”

[bandleader]

Me Too!That's exactly what I thought the story would be about!!I was SO DELIGHTED to find otherwise!!!God Bless America and God Bless The United States Marines!!!!!!!

[Chemnitz]

Let me tell you one that happened in front of my eyes. We were dining at a nice restaurant when a bunch of men and women in uniform came in. My wife and I had lunch discussing how much we thought of our military people, past and present. She got up and disappeared for a moment. She went around and shook hands with every single soldier. She missed a woman who was not in uniform, so they pointed my wife to her. She said to each one, "God bless you for fighting for us."

When I run into someone in class or on the Internet who is military, I always say something about it. We owe a great debt to these people. We should never tire of expressing it.

[everyvotecounts]

I am truly sorry that happened to you. I know that when I meet any Veteran, I now make sure and tell them thank you. Having a son in this war has made me understand a little of what you have done for your country. Thank you.

[cyborg]

I thought it was the Hildebeast late for another book tour appointment... remember that?

I'm glad. They're living out the dream unfulfilled of every Vietnam veteran that got spat on when they came home.

[Steely Glint]

Lucky guys. When I flew home from my war all I got from civilians was abuse.

[Ol' Sox]

Please allow me to say Thank You for your service, sir, and to cyber-shake your hand.