i just got this on my email
My brother should be returning home in October...if all goes well and he doesn't volunteer for any new things!!
But someone sent me this and I just thought I'd share it with all of you....it touched my heart!![]()
To My Friends, Family and Associates, One man's Perspective:
I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 last week heading back to new York after
a few meetings. I was waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-on
bags and grab a seat, so we could start what I was sure to be a long,
uneventful flight home. With the plane's 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
smoothly. I was anxious to get home to see my family so I was focused on
'my' issues - I just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these
clowns to get their act together. I knew I really couldn't accomplish much,
so I just thumbed thru the 'Sky Mall' magazine from the seat pocket in front
of me (anything to break the monotony). With everyone finally seated, we
still 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 thought to 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. After almost 30 minutes, word finally came that 'I' was finally
going to be on my way home - that's all I cared about. Then I thought, 'Why
all the hoopla over these 'special' people - they never delayed a plane for
me'. Of course I was expecting some hot shot celebrity or sports figure to
be the reason for the hold up. Just get their butts in a seat and lets hit
the gas is all I thought.
Then, the attendant came back on the speaker and announced 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, including me. One elderly woman
kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her, with tears in her
eyes. 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 how upset I was that 'I' was delayed from getting home,
finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand. These
marines 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 the others
who paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes
delay - for 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 - then 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, and would pass the story on to as many others as I
could. 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 !!!
But someone sent me this and I just thought I'd share it with all of you....it touched my heart!
To My Friends, Family and Associates, One man's Perspective:
I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 last week heading back to new York after
a few meetings. I was waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-on
bags and grab a seat, so we could start what I was sure to be a long,
uneventful flight home. With the plane's 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
smoothly. I was anxious to get home to see my family so I was focused on
'my' issues - I just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these
clowns to get their act together. I knew I really couldn't accomplish much,
so I just thumbed thru the 'Sky Mall' magazine from the seat pocket in front
of me (anything to break the monotony). With everyone finally seated, we
still 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 thought to 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. After almost 30 minutes, word finally came that 'I' was finally
going to be on my way home - that's all I cared about. Then I thought, 'Why
all the hoopla over these 'special' people - they never delayed a plane for
me'. Of course I was expecting some hot shot celebrity or sports figure to
be the reason for the hold up. Just get their butts in a seat and lets hit
the gas is all I thought.
Then, the attendant came back on the speaker and announced 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, including me. One elderly woman
kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her, with tears in her
eyes. 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 how upset I was that 'I' was delayed from getting home,
finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand. These
marines 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 the others
who paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes
delay - for 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 - then 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, and would pass the story on to as many others as I
could. 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 !!!
