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 !!!!!
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 !!!!!
