God Bless America
Posted on 09/13/2003 4:58:00 PM PDT by carlo3b
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.. AND SELFISH, AND SPOILED....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 !!!!!
We all have choices. True or false..I choose to believe this is true.
I don't think of my country as "selfish" or "spoiled." Nor do I feel gratitude to the military in particular for my freedoms. I feel grateful to God.
Around the turn of the century, many Americans had beautiful iron fireplace screens or cast iron stoves. During WW2, most of these disappeared into the smelter to make the planes my Dad used to fly. These are now considered "rare" antiques. I don't feel particularly grateful to the people who chose to "sacrifice" these items, either.
My Grandad refused to take a cent from the WPA at the height of the depression. Once again...that was his choice. It meant that he and my dad (as a kid) ocassionally endured real hunger.I had to travel to Taiwan to know what really hungry people look like. The winos on the streets of the US have chosen their hunger. That's their right.
What I do feel gratitude for is the legacy I received from a group of men who for different reasons made a choice. They sat and reasoned that men should be free to govern themselves. They chose the best that 2000 years of history could offer and attempted to construct a form of limited government that would allow a man to choose his own path. Making us free to choose a life that is pleasing to God, without compulsion.
It is only rational and logical that men are willing to put their lives at risk to defend such an endeavor. No soldier ever "wastes" his life. He passes on a legacy to his children. That legacy is the sure knowledge that there are things in this world more precious than life.
Shortly after 9/11, when the "Department of Homeland Security" was first proposed, Peggy Noonan wrote a great article objecting to the name. It has never been about the real estate. It's about the ideas. The only "waste" is living as an American without ever realizing what it means.
God Bless America
In the past few years, I have hired a few veterans from the former USSR, including Milo, an officer from Montenegro. I also hired a former US Marine DI from Canada who re-enlisted after 9/11 and a GI from TX, who had served in Bosnia on the other side of the line from Milo.
Soldiers take pride in their work, are self diciplined and are (for the most part) ultimately trustworthy...unless you have a teenage daughter.
I am willing to bet that your decision to give veterans preference has paid off more often than not.
BTW, love your homepage...
Thank you. It means a lot.
/john
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