The Plane Ride...
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 that others had paid
the price for my ability to moan and
complain about a few minutes delay to
"me" while those Heroes 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 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 BLESSAMERICA!
WELCOME HOME!
...AND THANKS
4 A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!
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 that others had paid
the price for my ability to moan and
complain about a few minutes delay to
"me" while those Heroes 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 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 BLESSAMERICA!
WELCOME HOME!
...AND THANKS
4 A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!
posted by starbender at 11:31 PM
1 Comments:
When I worked in the limousine business a couple of years ago I spent a lot of time in Greater Pgh International Airport. Whenever a group of more than two uniformed servicemen appeared together spontaneous applause would always break out among those assembled.
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