The Thin Man is a gentle soul, kind to all - -
merely misunderstood.
Posted on 09/08/2003 6:58:41 AM PDT by Billie
An e-mail received from a friend here - - -
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 shaken 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 heroes 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 !!!!!
This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq. Pass it on to everyone and pray.
==============================================================================
That is now. I, LadyX, REMEMBER A THEN - - -
This one hit me like a sledgehammer.
Where were they when my husband returned from Southeast Asia in October 1968,
advised to travel in civilian clothes when he reached the states?
Of course he could not, having to wear it to get military standby rates.
At Travis, a line of college kids greeted them with taunts and jeers.
Mind you, he was the forerunner of AF Special Forces for a year, and literally
snatched out of the jungle - was plunked down in Nam for hot spots (Tet and
Da Nang, for example) and once in NORTH Vietnam to make sure a downed
F-111 had self-destructed.
He and his men all year ensured the safety of the planes taking off and landing at
an Air Base, and patrolled the outlying villages to weed out 'strangers' -
communists who slipped in to down the planes with shoulder-fired rockets.
One gal spit in his face and reflexively, he snapped her arm and broke it - -
all those with him grabbed a punk and hauled them into the bathroom.
Airport police smiled and looked the other way!
Gave them lessons in Thou Shall Not Skip School and Spit in Public 101.
As they emerged, the police gave thumbs up signs and went in to clean up the
trash.
Didn't end there. Boarding the plane to Dallas, the stewardess scowled at him
and told him to sit in the back of the plane so he would
NOT UPSET THE CIVILIANS.
Same from Dallas to Columbia, SC where I waited after a VERY long year.
He had called me from Dallas to say he would take the first flight from there to
Columbia he could board, so I (from Myrtle Beach AFB) left the kids with my
sister in Summerton and went on to Columbia early in the a.m.
Waited ALL DAY LONG, meeting every flight from there - to no avail.
Finally the last plane of the day landed about 1630 - hundred plus filed off
and into the terminal. No Bernie, and I was dejected and resigned
to going back the next day.
THEN the stewardess let him off - last - all alone -
Took over 20 years for me to forgive those of that mindset.
While I did and do, it still hurts way deep down.
I thank God the Gulf War veterans demanded in New York City their tickertape
parade be to welcome home OUR HEROES of Nam as well, and show them the
long overdue honor they should have received - - -
God bless all those who served without the recognition due them......
LadyX
Be back this evening.....
You are a shining example of patriotism to everyone in the family and we are all proud of you and Daddio!
Awwwww....thank you. But, you know, the rewards of our "activism" has put us in contact with some of the most wonderful people I could ever hope to meet. I count each one of them as a blessing in my life. :-)
BTW, I would love to see a photo of you as a "flower child"!! lol
Hmmmmmmmm.....well, okay, I'll see if I can dig one up. There aren't many of those old photos that have survived all these years. LOL.
Ah, yes. Mini-skirts and "go-go boots". I remember them well. LOL!
((((((((((ladyx)))))))))))))
Ah, don't let her get to you Lady! Very few people have your ability in judging character. :-)
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