Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant
in Dress Blues traveling with a folded flag, but I did not put two and two
together. After we'd boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been
invited to sit in First Class (and was seated across the aisle from me), and
inquired if he was heading home.
"No sir" he responded.
"Heading out?" I asked.
"No. I'm escorting a Marine home."
"Going to pick him up?"
"No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I am taking him home to
his family."
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut.
It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier,
he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if
he did know them after so many conversations in so few days. I turned back to
him, extended my hand, and said, "Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so
my family and I can do what we do."
Upon landing in Chicago, the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the
following announcement over the intercom. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like
to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United
States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade
back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we
open the forward door, so as to allow Sergeant Steeley to de-plane and receive
his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the
casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize two
things: I am proud to be an American, and I will continue to fly on American
Airlines because it respects what our soldiers do every day.
So here's a public thank-you to our military for doing what they do, so we can
live the way we do.
And if there are no tears in your eyes now, you could use a heart transplant.]
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
Wether or not you support the war, you must support our troops. They are over there for US. Every day they put their lives on the line for US. Many have fallen and many more will fall, which is unfortunate. Although I do not so much agree with the war, I do support our troops and what they do for our country.
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7- RB Intake, RB header. Loud, slow, fun.
exactly pff - you don't have to agree with the politics of it all, but the men and women need to know that we support what they have to do (they don't really have a choice about what they do) and to be honest, to have the dicipline to follow through with the orders they get is really something I admire. The strong team spirit and goals of staying alive is another aspect that just floors me. No one left behind is the way they live and I think it's excellent when they can keep that bond so strong with one another.
My father had a friend he met while serving in Vietnam - unfortunately his friend didn't fair as well as my father did when they came back. His friend fell deeply into drugs and alcohol - lost his wife & family due to his PTSD. That's another thing to think about when our men and women get back - support our veterans as well.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
The way the Vietnam vets were treated upon their return was repulsive. No matter what war they were in, our Vets deserve nothing but the best treatment for what they did for our country.
The sad part is, most of the Vietnam vets were drafted- they didn't have a choice! It's not like our soldiers CHOSE to be sent to Iraq. No matter where in the world they are, they're OUR SOLDIERS. They are giving their lives to protect us from those who desire to harm us.
They deserve nothing but thanks and gratitude upon their return. Anything else is a disgrace.
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7- RB Intake, RB header. Loud, slow, fun.
