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Friday, October 10, 2008

From Airman Mom...

For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
~~~~~Thomas Jefferson

I was out visiting today, when I happened to stop for a rest at Airman Mom's place. I was there for a while as she has some wonderful reads. The one below I have reposted here with her blessing.

Before you read, grab some tissues. I was a sobbing, sniffling mess as I left her a comment, requesting my 'steal'.

Next week, I'm heading up to Dayton to catch a flight to the Sunshine State. I think I might take some extra cash with me. Just in case I happen to see a few or a dozen of "Our Guys".

Who knows, it might be her son...


Day after day, we are blanketed by news of our failing economy, we are sickened by the political advertisements, and some days it seems as though the only news we hear is negative.



This story was posted on the "Blue Star Mothers" site.



Please enjoy these uplifting words.





The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. "I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap," I thought.


Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. "Where are you headed?" I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

"Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq ."

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. "No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago."

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. "Take a lunch to all those soldiers." She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. "My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him."

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, "Which do you like best - beef or chicken?"

"Chicken," I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. "This is your thanks."

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. "I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this." He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, "I want to shake your hand."

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, "I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot." I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word.

Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. "It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You."

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals.

It seemed so little...




And so it goes......

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh my! *sniff*

Can I take it from you, and post it around? Pleeeeeeeease? And link to you,. That way the 'little drops' will ripple right along. :)

Let me know by email, please. Thanks so much for sharing this one...

Mike Golch said...

this is a great posting and I thank you for it. I went an visited with Airman Mom as well. I truely hope that you are having a great day.

K-Dubyah said...

Brat,
Go for it Hon! Don't forget that tissue disclaimer...

Mike,
Thank you! My day has been good. Grandkids have worn me out...
You have a wonderful evening too!

Unknown said...

ky...First of all, thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogworld! I also want to thank you for the kind words posted here today.
Truly, we need to hold these words in our hearts and perhaps one day we will be fortunate enough to show one iota of our gratitude.
Be safe in your travels.


~AirmanMom returning to her blog...

Anonymous said...

Airman Mom,
I just recieved The Sack Lunches from my brother in law and l

Anonymous said...

et me say it was beautiful and really touched my heart@

Anonymous said...

That is was so kind of you to do that for those poor troups! God bless you and the troops!