Received this in E-mail today. I hope that it is true. It is certainly touching!
I do not recall it being posted here before, buy hey, my memory ain't what it used to be.
Subject: The Flight Back Home
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 ho lding 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 on
e 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 an d 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 !!!!!
