Love this story-everyone read it
i sat in my seat of the boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carryons 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 focused on "my" issues and felt like standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to get their act togetherl. i know i couldn't say a word so i just thumbed through the "sky mall" magazine from the seat pocket in front of me. with everyone finally seated we just sat there with the cabin door open and no one in any hurry to get us going even though we were well past the schedualed take off time.
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 and the delay shouldn't be more than five minutes". the word came after waiting 6 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 sports 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 sxcited voice that we were being joined by several US Marines returning home from Iraq! just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause. the men were talken by surprise as 340 people cheered 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 hang 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 so much 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 of my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" while those heros 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 heros were allowed to gather their things and be first off the plane. the cheers and applause continuted until the last marine stepped off and we all rose to go about our roo 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 would never forget that flight or 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 cannot because they are no longer with us. GOD BLESS AMERICA! WELCOME HOME! THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!
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 and the delay shouldn't be more than five minutes". the word came after waiting 6 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 sports 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 sxcited voice that we were being joined by several US Marines returning home from Iraq! just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause. the men were talken by surprise as 340 people cheered 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 hang 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 so much 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 of my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" while those heros 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 heros were allowed to gather their things and be first off the plane. the cheers and applause continuted until the last marine stepped off and we all rose to go about our roo 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 would never forget that flight or 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 cannot because they are no longer with us. GOD BLESS AMERICA! WELCOME HOME! THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!