A Big Thank You!!!

[Emery]

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 aisl! e. 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 BLESS AMERICA! WELCOME HOME!
AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!