I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for
everyone to hurry and stow their carryon luggage
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 overpriced, 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
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 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!!!!!"
Author Unknown
Thanks Connie for sharing
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