Delayed
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 we ll. 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 as 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
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 FOR A JOB WELL
DONE!!!!!