I received the following from another member of the Society of The 173rd Airborne Brigade and thought I'd pass it on to you all.

Rick.

IT IS A GOOD FEELING TO KNOW THAT SOME PEOPLE TRUELY APPRECIATE THE "VETERAN".

Subject: Fw: Fw: Perspective

> Perspective

> >

> > 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 lets 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 others paid the price for my ability to

> > moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me"

> > those Heroes 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 hero's 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 !!!!!

AGREED,

Rick.

> >

Hi, Bravo

I am all for proffessional soldiers getting reconigtion

for puttting their lives on the line for thier country. Would

not like to have to deal with the negative after doing a job.

Being Ex Army myself I have found myself in the position of

waiting to go to IRAQ with the knowledge it was the Brits that

trained them to use chemical weapons and supplied them with

weapons. Well that was when they were in favour with the

west and fighting against the evil ones IRAN.

Strange I think how the powers that be can twist the

truth to suit themsevles How much support has the IRA received

from the USA.How many other organisation have been bankrolled

from the worlds police force? Food for thought!

I wonder what the real reason for invading a country

was? certainly not to free the poor IRAQ people from the Devil.

Was it to make the Middle East more Stable I think not. Dirty

Bomb?? something smells. The first conflict was justified is this

one? I think they should pull out Quick Sharp and pay to build

IRAQ with the good old Liberty Dollar. The other side of the coin

who do the Arab's see as the Devil?

I stand by soldiers that do thier duty as some pay the highest price and they should be respected. It is not their job to play the police role. I Question the politics of the whole mess and

wonder were its leading? the ones paying the price are the IRAQ

people and its spilling over !!

This is just my perspective . Not taking anything away from

soldiers doing their job!!

Hey there Sam,

I reckon we should go back to the days when knights were bold and the leaders of the country led their men into battle.

Can you imagine little Johnny Howard carring a 60lb pack on his back, toting a GPMG M60 leading an infantry unit into combat ??.

Mind boggling isn't it ????????????

Rick.

Would be nice to give to give politicans life exsperiences might

make them wiser in there decission making. Thanks for the

image of Johny

ROFL

That would be a sight to see charge of the Speedwalker !!

Awesome story Rick.