thanks wardog

Subject: Happy Veterans Day from ma !!!!!

This is a note and a story for all my Veteran friends - There is at least one person living on this land that thanks you for your part how ever large -no matter how tiny ...in helping to keep me & mine free & able to use the rights,privileges and freedoms we have in our country. For your part in keeping the right to me having my own voice and opinion (be it the same as others or not) ... Thank You !!!! I am honored to share this lifetime with you ...
May we someday know Peace
(true peace - not JUST political)
mamasunlady
You have to read this..........

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!!!

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 "my" 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 !!!!!

This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq.

The message, as I received it, contained the following paragraph. You may
comply or disregard, as you wish. I'd appreciate it if you would send the
story to at least one person.