Precious Cargo

[DLCTEX]

Thanks for posting this Recluse. And thanks to the family who sacrificed so much for their country.

[Echo]

I went through a couple of Kleenexes during and after the post. It does one good to read of other folks doing honorable things.

[Tazman1602]

Most females need tissues when they bawl, I had to run for the dam paper towel rack Recluse.

RIP Soldier and Godspeed

[Oldtimer]

I will retire this year after serving our country for 32 years. I'd do another 32 if I could. Great post. Kinda hits close to home when I read about these things. We've lost several young men from my area. Not a day passes that this is not on my mind. Thanks for the post. Bob

[PatMarlin]

I will be retire this year after serving our country for 32 years. I'd do another 32 if I could. Great post. Kinda hits close to home when I read about these things. We've lost several young men from my area. Not a day passes that this is is not on my mind. Thanks for the post. Bob

Wow- congradulations Bob on your retirement and thank you for serving our great country...

[Oldtimer]

Pat, thanks for the kind words. Bob

[Blacksmith]

Recluse
Thank you for posting this reminder.

And a special Thanks to all who have served this country in peace and war.

[captain-03]

I am brushing back more than one tear after reading this ... thanks so very much for sharing ...

[.357]

The worst day of my life was when i was told that my medical condition would not allow me to serve in the forces like my dad. I thank all the people who did.

[Bloodman14]

Clearing my eyes, thanks, Recluse.

[Marvin S]

I consider myself really tuff to these type of things but while being deployed not long ago to the middle east we would have fallen warrior ceremonies one to two times per day. This would be the first stop for the military transports who carry the coffins for the final trip home.

Yea it will kind of choke up the best of em. My hat goes off to the folks in the trenches as I'm just the one who fixes all of the equipment and aircraft back stage.

USAF 1983 to present.

[44fanatic]

That is the second time I have read that. Still found it difficult to read through foggy eyes.

Posts like this carry a very special meaning to me...they hit close to home.

[Wayne Smith]

As a young teenager I and my family watched Hamberger Hill on the evening news. Our first TV, and only a year or so old. I remember reading reports of soldiers in uniform being spat upon in the airport as they returned home from incountry.

Yeah, Reculse, I teared up reading this. More than that, though, I am proud of this generation!

[smoked turkey]

This post, and others from time to time when we pause from our hobby to reflect on some of the more important issues we face, is why I am glad I hang my hat here at castboolits. I don't have many regrets in my life, but not serving in the military when I was a young man is one that I do have. I personally owe a great debt to those who chose to serve. Thanks for giving me a reminder of the teriffic cost that has been paid so that I can live my life in this great land in freedom. God Bless America!

[Reloader06]

A simple "Thank You" doesnt seem like enough. It's all I've got until I fix this leak. Thank You.

Matt

[PatMarlin]

As a young teenager I and my family watched Hamberger Hill on the evening news. Our first TV, and only a year or so old. I remember reading reports of soldiers in uniform being spat upon in the airport as they returned home from incountry.

Yeah, Reculse, I teared up reading this. More than that, though, I am proud of this generation!

We were in elementary school scared to death- war went on so long we knew we were gonna grow up and get drafted. I remember the summer the song "House of the Rising Sun" was a hit. My older cousin showed up AWOL. He was scared and running. Never knew what became of him.

[Bret4207]

I had the sad duty of serving as an escort for a time while in the USMC. I can only hope there's some truth to this story. Regardless, the sentiment is what matters. Good job.

[Recluse]

I had the sad duty of serving as an escort for a time while in the USMC. I can only hope there's some truth to this story. Regardless, the sentiment is what matters. Good job.

Bret,

I have high confidence in the validity of the story. The story was e-mailed to me from a friend at the airport. At our little private GA (general aviation) airport, we're a privately owned airport, but public use. Because of that (privately owned), we make our own rules about hangars and housing. A lot of pilots/aircraft owners choose to build apartments or homes inside their hangars and live full-time at the airport.

Of those folks, about half are current and soon to be retired, or already retired, airline pilots. Most major brands/companies are represented. It's a very tight community of folks out there, and the retired airline guys have friends all over the world with whom they stay in constant contact with.

The pilot who e-mailed this to me and other pilots who are veterans said he got it directly from a ground crew member via the first officer. Both drivers in the front office were Vietnam era veterans--which is why it touched them so deeply.

I was on a commercial flight to Phoenix a couple of weeks ago, and we have several soldiers on board, in their BDUs. The captain asked that we stay seated to allow them to get their stuff and get off the airplane first. Phoenix was their final destination.

Almost everyone on the plane gave them a combination of applause, whistles, cheers or salutes. I damned near started bawling. I remember, firsthand, how it used to not be when you were in public in uniform.

I'm glad we're past that and giving these young men and women the respect and gratitude they so richly deserve.