I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for

everyone to hurryand stow their carry-on's 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 BLESS AMERICA!

WELCOME HOME! AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!

There's a lot less fan fare on a C-130.

One time coming back from our alternate summer excursion, the bus broke down. The whole trip was a series of delays and misadventures, so we're finally on a bus from Great Lakes to Madison and the bus breaks down, so the air is out too. Everybody looks at each other, now knowing full well why only one Marine has live ammo. After a while, the bus driver announces that "help" will be there in about 30 minutes. He had the radio on, so 50 BDU clothed Marines with M-16's and machine guns started singing....

We're going to a chapel and we're gonna get married...going to the chapel of love...

Now that was the surreal life!

This was not posted to be proven or disproven but to give those who have not served or complained about things in life.

When you think you have it hard think of the troops who have it way harder than you do sitting in your recliner drinking a beer and watching the game.

I guess it's just that we all read it here last week..

Repeats never get good press.

http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/forum/forum.cfm?action=list&forumID=9&messageDisplay=0000000054058 

As Dr. Evil Says....Oh well more pressing matters. 🙂

Charlie you are Da Man!

I was laying in the my rack at boot camp watching the fireworks go off over San Diego, wondering what all the "normal" people were doing, and what fun it would be to be "normal" again.

Once I was "normal", I always thought of how many troops weren't warm and toasty (or were too warm) or couldn't drink a beer or hug their Mrs.

No not really I had a fish named Tranny just couldn't hold up under the strain...so he went down the drain....LOL!

The 767 does not hold 340 people. The -400 version only holds 285 people. The more common domestic version holds 252 . . .

We don't hold for connecting passengers as any wait at the gate only further delays the returning flight. I'm sure that people on an early morning flight can't comprehend that, but the ones leaving for a scheduled departure at 11pm can.

Now, I will say that many times I have seen a gate full of people erupt in applause when a string of soldiers board the aircraft, of a plane full of people do the same as described in the story.

I think it is a story. Well written, sort of, but heartwarming none the less.