Specter 0 Posted August 27, 2003 Share Posted August 27, 2003 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. The conveniences of the American way of life I took for granted, others paid the price for, giving me the ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" of 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 !!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zebb 7 Posted August 27, 2003 Share Posted August 27, 2003 Nicely said Phantm'... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NightCrawler 137 Posted August 27, 2003 Share Posted August 27, 2003 Awesome post!! God bless those who serve and protect. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
warhawk 0 Posted August 27, 2003 Share Posted August 27, 2003 Nightcrawler said it best I think. I would only repeat what he said. Stout Hearts Warhawk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cpl Ledanek 247 Posted August 27, 2003 Share Posted August 27, 2003 Well done... Semper Fidelis! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rocky 1,224 Posted August 27, 2003 Share Posted August 27, 2003 What a great story, thanks for sharing that. It reminded me of a paragraph I read in a book about the Green Berets in Afghanistan. Early in 2002 the newly restored leader was visiting the President in the USA, and as they left a building the muslim spied a few faces in the gathered crowd he thought he recognised. Then he realised it was a handful of the green berets who had fought alongside him to remove the Taliban only a few months earlier - but without their beards he did not recognise them immediately. Realising who they were, he left the side of the President and ran across to the crowd, pulling the Green Berets forward shaking their hands and embracing them excitedly. One of them had a serious injury and was led up to the President by the Muslim. "Look" he said "Look what your brave Green Berets have endured to free my country of the Taliban. How can we every repay you". Paraphrased, but you get the drift. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Viper 0 Posted August 27, 2003 Share Posted August 27, 2003 That is an exelent story .... just E-mailed it to all my friends CLARK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collis the Muffinman 0 Posted August 27, 2003 Share Posted August 27, 2003 WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great post!!! i am speechless!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS THE U.S!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcinko 1 Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 This is the stuff that makes me wanna be a soldier, the OVERWHELMING patriotism i feel, i've said it b4, i'll say it again, I LOVE MY COUNRTY, and couldnt imagine living anywhere else, God Bless America, and HOOYAH!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter 0 Posted August 28, 2003 Author Share Posted August 28, 2003 Amen. Those people on the plane, the guy down the road barbecuing, the kids playin' in the park, the mothers, and brothers, and daughters and sons, the elderly that fought to keep us free from Naziism and communism, our family members and friends that joined up to carry on defending liberty and freedom. The people that cant stand up for one reason or another, whether it be opression or occupation. That's why I joined. And I would do it all again over and over, without a second thought. God bless America, and all the Servicemen and women, and a special blessing to my beloved Corps ! ! ! Semper Fi ! ! HOOOYAH ! ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
snakebite1967 0 Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 great posts phantom and rocky Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CtheHammer 0 Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 Code of Conduct of the United States Military Article 1 I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. Article 6 I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will keep faith in my god and in the United States of America. In my mind, these two sort of say it all. C Midn 4/c, Atlanta Region NROTC, GA Tech Battalion Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter 0 Posted August 28, 2003 Author Share Posted August 28, 2003 @CtheHammer Amen bro, amen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcinko 1 Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 I think it should be pinned..... just an idea, a patriotism page. read this, make u realize why the hell someone would go out there and get shot at. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parabellum 12 Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 Here's to all who have served. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collis the Muffinman 0 Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 *raises dr pepper* I LOVE AMERICA!!! AINT SWEET TO BE FREE??!?! GOD BLESS THE VETS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcinko 1 Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 lol, stop drinkin dr. pepper, u may be able to do more that 5 pullups, lol, j/k. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MarkVanDamme 0 Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 Can't see that happening here.... We're told not to travel in uniform, or to announce our jobs in public. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Viper 0 Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 We're told not to travel in uniform, or to announce our jobs in public. what exactly do you do? (or would that be anouncing it in public ........ ) to all our service man and women ..... as the casualties continue to climb may you have the heart to carry on the fight. (we need a saluting smillie) CLARK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter 0 Posted August 29, 2003 Author Share Posted August 29, 2003 They are told that so as not to be targets for terrorists or the enemy when travelling amongst civvies. Low profile and all of that, dont draw attention to the crowd of innoocents you may be standing in. Especially in the kind of war we are fighting right now being centered around terrorism. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
soup31314 0 Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 Well I guess I'll drop my story about when get were filying back for iraq. When left Kuwait after being in Iraq for 6 months. We flew to some island in the med and were not allowed of the plane. We then went to germany were we had a 4 hour lay over. Then reboarded and flew to Bangor, Maine. All of us couldnt wait to get a smoke in. It had been 20 some odd hours. And no dipping either so were are all going crazy for a smoke. Alady was escorting us thru the customs area. So we followed thinking we were go to the smoking area. When we came in to the main termail there were about 60 vets there for the local VFW. Then about 70 people (civilians) They all started to cheer and clap and hollier welcome home. Each person on the plane went thru a welcoming line. Each soldier got a hand shake or a pat on the back and a job well done. Now I'm an INFANTRYMAN and we dont show our feelings much. Man it took everything that I had not to start to cry. I had chills up and down my spine. Hell as I sit here and type this I'm getting those same chills again. These people (kids 5-18, adults, vet) they came there to show us we were not forgotten. Many times in Iraq were thought we were. Some of the guys said that if I thought that was good wait till we get to Fort Stewart (our home base), but for me that is expected. Family, friends, and love ones, But these were poeple that didnt know me or my soldiers. They just were there to welcome us home. The also had about 15 cellphones that we were able to us for free so that we didnt have to waste our own money. Then when it was time for us to leave they all clapped and cheered and wished us the best and god speed. This blow my mind. How and why would people I never meet show up to welcome me home? I understand the vets (the vietnam vet the most) they wanted us to come home hero and to know that we are not forgotten!!! But people waiting on flights that didnt know we were coming?? That was the best feeling in my life. As for not flying in uniform. The military does say we shouldnt fly in uniform on overseas flights. Becuase if you all can remember back in the early 80 the highjacked plane and the navy seaman that was killed in beruit. But my wife is in NY and I havent seen her yet. I will be in my Class A uniform. Also when I was deployed there was a letter in Stars & Stripes for a lady in the states that talked about how she felt when she saw a soldier in uniform get on the plane. She was scared to fly but when she saw the soldier she knew nothing would happen to her. I'm proud of what I did. There are some things that happened that I'm not proud of (not what I did but what others did) . But those are the things that I will have to deal with for the rest of my life. Thank you all for the support. Rocky thank you the most for keeping my name up on the main page that felt good to know yall would see it every day. Thank you again soup Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcinko 1 Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 good to see ur doing good soup. gl man. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
warhawk 0 Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 (edited) @Soup I know you don't know me but let me just say a few things. First off as long as people like SOTOPhantm, Whiteknight, Nightcrawler, Reconsnake or myself (just to name a few) are around there will not be one military service member who will be forgotton. I am not intentionally leaving out anyone at this site either. But I know that I can speak in at least general terms for this people. You and your friends and fellow soliders are our brothers/sisters and we will never forget nor will we, like the members from the VFW that greeted you for example, allow anyone else to. If you are still in contact with anyone still in Iraq you let them know that they are not forgotten and that we all appreciate the things they are doing for not only us but for the Iraqi people themselves. They are the embodiment of what we believe in and what we all still strive to be. We are all glad that you are back. Know this, and you can file this under the for what it's worth department, if you ever need or want to talk to someone about what went on there I will always be here to listen. I am not a professional but we share some common ground in some areas. That's all the farther I will get into that here. Stout Hearts Warhawk Edited August 29, 2003 by warhawk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bkriley 0 Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 Great Story there Soup....you all deserve it and more. I'm sure the Vietnam Vet's didn't want you all coming back to what they came back to.....I think their welcome home was a mistake that happened once and will never happen again. Everyone better damn well know that the U.S. is nothing without her soldiers. Thanks, Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter 0 Posted August 29, 2003 Author Share Posted August 29, 2003 Soup, Z Rated, Swordfish and all the others, We are all glad you're home safe ! ! Semper Fi, and thank you for everything you did ! ! We are all free because of what you guys did, and are willing to do ! ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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