ntnbolt1

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 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 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!!!

Fronty Owner

Yes, a good read, but I dont know what airline your flying my I have never seen anything close to that. even in the US.

dieselfuelonly

That was definitely worth the read, turned out much different than I expected!

AkTallPaul

Yea I think its one of those fantasy spam emails.....

strokerace

good read, makes you rethink things

BgBlkTrk

I actually did see it a few weeks ago coming back to NM from DFW. A soldier who we later found out was returning from Iraq was in full Army dress at the airport, minding his own business. As he walked up to the ticket counter, the attendant thanked him for his service, and notified him that he has now been upgraded to first class, free of charge. This put him on the plane first, and therefore, everyone boarded after him-as we were boarding, almost everyone shook his hand and/or thanked him for his service. When we arrived in Albuquerque and finally got past the security barrier, there was a crowd of people that must have been at least 100 strong, waving the American flag and cheering, welcoming him home. Brings a tear to your eye to see this happen

ntnbolt1

It could very well be one of those its hard to say.... But I found this after doing a Google search for something (I don't even remember what it was) on a chat board from 2005..... it seemed pretty genuine so I shared it....

Bruce

Fronty Owner

but he was on time, not late. Every airport I have been in will let military board first, even when they are in cargo class.