A Hero's Welcome

[montana_charlie]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/06/13-marines-returning-from-afghanistan-get-impromptu-airport-welcome/

A group of Marines on their way home from Afghanistan got something they didn't expect after spending the better part of five days getting on and off planes as they tried to get from one side of the globe to another: cheers from a small crowd of police, a fire truck water salute and first-class plane tickets.

A short time later, boarding another jet for San Diego, the Marines learned that American Airlines — which has a policy to upgrade servicemen and women in uniform whenever possible — had six empty seats in first class for the group. That gesture was followed by seven first-class passengers who jumped out of their seats for the other Marines so they could sit together.

THAT is special ...

[WallyM3]

I am sooooo delighted to hear this.

I got stuff thrown at me when I got back.

[pdawg_shooter]

I am sooooo delighted to hear this.

I got stuff thrown at me when I got back.

That and called a baby killer, among other things.

[montana_charlie]

Look, I came home from Vietnam, too. I know about the 'reception'.
But, that was then, and this is now.

Can't you guys get your faces out of their permanent frowns long enough to say something nice about seven everyday Americans who give up their first class airline seats so that some returning Marines can sit in them?

It's easy to join a crowd in an airport in applauding when some soldiers walk by. That costs nothing, and might even be a 'herd reaction'. It's also easy (and free) to carry an 'I Support The Troops' bumper sticker on your car.
Of course, when you say, "Thank you for your service." to somebody he goes away with a nice feeling, but the no-cost gesture leaves YOU feeling like your own personal hero for shining your light into that guy's humdrum day.

A first class airline ticket is pretty pricey compared to 'coach', and to voluntarily take a downgrade takes concious thought.
Those seven may not be 'heroes', but they have earned some praise.
Are you two too niggardly to give it?

CM

[pdawg_shooter]

Not at all. But the bitter taste of how we were treated lingers. If just ONE person had said thank you....

[Rick Hodges]

Not at all. But the bitter taste of how we were treated lingers. If just ONE person had said thank you....
pdawg I rode the plane wearing a uniform in '71...got the bull also...I say thank you sir....I didn't do it for the idiots back home...but for you and every other guy in uniform, the guys standing next to me....and my family. They knew...know. So thank you, God bless you, and may you heal.

[Love Life]

To the Vietnam Veterans.

We all thank you now. It may be late, many years late, but my generation of warfighters and service members thank you.

We still study your urban battles, we still study your human relations efforts and pros/cons of hearts and minds, we still learn from the experiences you brought home from the war.

So from my heart, I thank you.

[shdwlkr]

Well since some want to talk about the Vietnam era
My fondest memory is standing at attention and being spit on and having garbage thrown at me, yep great time.
Do I hold some negative feelings maybe, but you know I wonder then and even now how much of it was generated by the media that painted the picture of service individuals to sell their news.
I am back in college at my late age trying to get a degree in mental health counseling then I will be paying back to every military individual that walks through my door and is willing to work with me to help them finally come home. As has been said some do nothing, some do some and then there are others who go beyond what is asked of them and their reward is knowing they did the right thing and seek nothing more.

[Echo]

I feel a little uncomfortable when someone thanks me for my service. I spent a year in Thailand (66-67), saw the first Buff land @ U-Tapao, and the only thing I had to worry about was getting drunk and falling into a klong, and I never did those two things together.

[Ajax]

I feel the same way when some one thanks me for my service. I don't know how to respond. I joined the service because it was where i was drawn to in my life as a young man. I didn't do it for praise or bragging rights. I did it because it is where i felt i belonged in the universe. I do appreciate the thank you's but it makes me uncomfortable. For our Viet Nam vets i think the american people were jaded by the celebrities speaking out against the war and the media selective reporting on the war. I for one have never forgot my brothers and sisters who went before me and established the guidelines for my generation to be successful in a urban environment. That being said i want to thank all of our Viet Nam vets for the honorable job they did.


Andy

[skruske]

Not at all. But the bitter taste of how we were treated lingers. If just ONE person had said thank you....

From the bottom of my heart, Thank you for serving so that we may live safe and free in the greatest country ever known to mankind.

You have my profound gratitude and respect.

Please allow me to extend that sentiment to all who have served.

[Charlie Two Tracks]

That is a great story! I'm glad those guys got to experience the welcome home. When the war was just starting to heat up over in Afganistan, we had our first (and only) casualty from our little town. The young man had been shot up pretty good but after a few months, he was going to return back to town for convalescence. I notified everyone I could. When his plane landed the honor guard had formed a line of flags he had to walk (with a crutch) by , then rows of civilians all cheering and was then escorted to a caravan of cars that were lead by a bunch of motorcycles for a 20 mile trip back to this town. At each intersection on the way home and through town were either police or firemen in their trucks with lights a going and sirens a wailing! Regular people were out waving flags a cheering, the news was there.......pretty darn cool. I felt really good about that and realized from the beginning that this was probably going to be his one time of being honored for what he did and I wanted him to have something good to remember. I'm not so sure it wasn't as much for me as it was for him.

Viet-Nam was a long time ago in a land far, far away. What happened then is way in the past and we a living in the present now.

[sparky45]

These are fantastic stories and help take the sting away from the wounds left by the likes of the Fonda types. I to served 1965-1969 although in a support area, not combat area. I was a Navy Corpsman (8483) Operating Room Tech. I was stationed on Guam my last to years of service and believe me, my troops (I was Chief Corpsman over30+ men) felt the impact of both Tet's . We were running 80 - 90 surgical cases a day through 6 Operating Rooms. Long hours and low pay, just like everyone else. I'm proud of my service even though there were those states side who weren't. That's an era that's long gone in my mind, but not, nor will it ever be forgotten. I met some of the most fantastic people while in the Navy and will cherish those in my memory till the day I die.
Thanks to all who have served. It's a very Noble gift you have given to God and Country.

[captaint]

In 2006 I was leaving the hospital after having surgery, picking up my stuff and getting ready to go. It was the end of May. I was talking to a nice nurse and I said - It's almost Memorial Day..
and she asked - are you a veteran?? Yes. Vietnam?? Yep. She says well thank you for your service. I know I had a funny look on my face and I said - you know, you're the only person who has ever said thank you. Then she had a funny look on her face. I just smiled and left.
So, thank you to all you veterans and God bless you. Glad we still have enough real Americans. Mike

[LynC2]

That is a great story! I'm glad those guys got to experience the welcome home. When the war was just starting to heat up over in Afganistan, we had our first (and only) casualty from our little town. The young man had been shot up pretty good but after a few months, he was going to return back to town for convalescence. I notified everyone I could. When his plane landed the honor guard had formed a line of flags he had to walk (with a crutch) by , then rows of civilians all cheering and was then escorted to a caravan of cars that were lead by a bunch of motorcycles for a 20 mile trip back to this town. At each intersection on the way home and through town were either police or firemen in their trucks with lights a going and sirens a wailing! Regular people were out waving flags a cheering, the news was there.......pretty darn cool. I felt really good about that and realized from the beginning that this was probably going to be his one time of being honored for what he did and I wanted him to have something good to remember. I'm not so sure it wasn't as much for me as it was for him.

Viet-Nam was a long time ago in a land far, far away. What happened then is way in the past and we a living in the present now.

What great stories, it makes me happy they are being treated with the honor and respect they deserve. I prefer not to dwell on Viet Nam. It was many years ago and not a pleasant time. What I think about are some great friends (brothers) I made and still keep in contact with to this day. One of my buddies named his son after me and interestingly enough I was named after a WW2 soldier that lost his life in the Pacific theatre.

[shdwlkr]

It was decades after I left before anyone ever said that to me and it was a fellow vet which made it even more special to me as I tried for so long to keep that time in my life a secret. I remember a neighbor telling my sister that I couldn't have been in as they couldn't remember when I was gone. I happened to be home when she told me and the neighbor was sitting on his porch and I went over and asked if he had his VA medical ID he said since he was a Marine on ship he was not eligible. So I asked if he thought the VA handed out those cards to just anyone and he said no so I showed him mine and had him look at the notation on it which said service connected which means I got hurt on active duty. You should have seen the look on his face,because he knew that my sister had told that he and his wife were spreading rumors that I had never been in and was just saying that to get attention.
Few will ever know really what I did beyond my favorite statements "I was a pimple on the Army's butt they couldn't reach and I did what my country asked no questions asked" My sister has an idea as do some friends but no one will ever know the real story. I was able to sanitized my records while in and all it says is that I was a good little Reservist and did my time.

To all who served a very heart felt and meant thank you so much and thanks for showing me what I should do while I was there. May we someday see the end of conflict and the loss of our brightest and most talented men and women in such a terrible way.

[Bzcraig]

Every Veterans Day for many years I have been thanked and feel a bit uncomfortable as well. When I came home from overseas my dad hugged me and cried, only time I ever saw him cry. That was the only thanks I needed. I am just thoroughly joyed that our military are getting the recognition they deserve and folks are going out of their way to acknowledge them.

[shaper]

A couple years ago, prior to vetrans day, all of the vets in our church were asked to prepair a short talk on our military days and how it efected our lives. The day came and all of my family was there, wife, daughter, grandkids, and I had my little speach planned and ready. Just before going into the service a young lady (teenager) handed me a envelope and said, Thank you. I opened the envelope and found a card. When I opened the card I found that every teen in the church had signed the card and in the middle was the words " Thank you for your service ". I lost it. I could not do my speach. I don't know what I said when it came my turn. This made up for all of the other things that came from from my stay in South East Asia 1965-1966. I still have the card, it had become a treasure to me.

[Bzcraig]

A treasure indeed!