THE BEST E-MAIL THIS YEAR
~~ AND~~
IT WILL "CONTINUE" TO BE!!!
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 let's
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
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 that others had paid
the price for my ability to
moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" while those
Heroes were
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
GO SEMPER FI
The Most Important Things In Life....
Aren't Things......
