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Just a Company of American paratroopers, a guitar plugged
into the outpost's PA system, and a whole lot of demolitions.
Troops at Airport Inspire
By Blue Collar Muse Posted in Life Issues — Comments (17) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
I’m sitting in the Atlanta airport waiting for colleagues to fly in from Chicago. We’ll meet up and head to the hotel for a conference. Nothing I haven’t done before and so have many of you.
But this flight and wait are different. I dropped my son off at the airport a few hours before I took off. We both made the flight from Nashville to Atlanta. But while I’m staying in Atlanta, my son has finished up his US Army basic training in South Carolina and his AIT in Virginia and is reporting to Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field in Savannah, GA to his first duty station.
As I write these words, just 4 feet away, is a long line of Army soldiers and the occasional Navy, Marine or Air Force guy passing through Atlanta. That’s the difference in this trip. From the time I dropped off my son, through my own flight and now my wait here, I’m surrounded by soldiers. It’s an indescribable feeling. There was even some comic relief. On my flight, the flight attendant announced that no one should attempt to open the door to the flight deck for any reason. I turned to the 15 year veteran next to me and smiled. I said, “Like anyone would be stupid enough to try that on a flight filled with you guys!” He just grinned a predatory grin and nodded.
On my flight, the troops were welcomed over the intercom by the flight attendants and flight crew before we took off and wished “Bon Voyage” after we landed. Most of the civilian passengers applauded the mention of the troops. On the ground here in Atlanta, I can tell when a new group of soldiers is about to round the corner and join the gathering in front of me because the applause on the concourse is audible before the troops are visible. It’s like my favorite Budweiser commercial.
Each group of soldiers is escorted by USO volunteers. I took a moment to thank one of those ladies for serving our soldiers and she simply said it was her pleasure to serve. It is comforting to know my son was met in the same fashion. I wondered how his day would be when I dropped him off. He was headed to a new post, a new place and a new profession. There was nothing I could do to change whatever it held, but a father worries, too.
Most of the troops I flew with were on their way back to Iraq. Most were from Ft. Campbell as evidenced by their Screamin’ Eagle insignia. They were home for their two week, mid-tour leave. I learned today that each soldier gets a two week leave in the middle of his or her deployment. We bring our sons and daughters home to be with their families in the midst of their deployment to liberate and protect the children of others. Our enemies strap bombs on their children and send them to die in the midst of crowds of innocents while killing the children of others. The difference stands distinct in my mind.
I was speaking to my son by cell phone when the last group of soldiers passed by my seat near baggage claim. Watching them revealed an entirely different way in which I’m proud of my boy and why I so readily dismiss those who denigrate our troops.
In many ways, the lines of soldiers were just like any other group of travelers. They were tired and cramped from their flight. They were weary from wringing out precious hours with family by skimping on sleep. They carried themselves soberly. Most were heading back into a war zone. They knew what awaited them once they left the relatively friendly confines of CONUS. But there were no complaints, no cutting in line, no grumbling. There was no evidence of profanity or crudity at all. These men and women were professional. Other groups of passengers were loud, disruptive and disrespectful. One woman stood out. She walked across the terminal loudly talking on her cell phone. Her impossible-to-not-hear conversation was laced with profanity and vulgarity. In stark contrast, the soldiers were polite, gracious and thankful to the USO volunteers and seemed to appreciate the applause and kindness and respect from the strangers they passed by. In short, they were soldiers.
I’ve seen many a group of travelers and many a group of colleagues gather to pass time or just to pass through. I’ve never seen one as honorable as these troops. And worthy of honor. These weren’t special troops in an elite group. They were just the mix of soldiers it was my privilege to witness. To think my son is one of these men and women. He’s been home on leave after his school and so much of him still seems the same young man he was when he left - young, foolish and immature. But it’s also very true that something happens when he puts on his uniform. I know it’s silly, but it reminds me of nothing so much as Clark Kent heading for the phone booth. He really is different when in uniform as opposed to civvies.
Most of us hope and pray our sons and daughters will one day be better men and women than we are. Watching the troops pass by me in the airport today I was struck by the realization that, in a multitude of ways, my 19 year old son has already surpassed me. It was more than a bit of a shock, but it’s true nonetheless.
And I’m just fine with that … Hooah!!
You're Welcome, but thank you, too!
by Blue Collar Muse
Gerry,
Thank you for your kind words. But the reality is that you are as much the subject of my diary as my son. Without men and women like you who passed on to all of us this blessed Republic, more or less intact, there would be no opportunity for my son and his peers to be the men and women they are.
IMHO, those who have served in the military in any capacity stand head and shoulders above the rest of us. Not because they are smarter, stronger or braver than us. That may not be true. But because they have, perhaps unwittingly, hit upon the idea that service to one's country and fellow citizens at expense to oneself is, perhaps, the highest and most noble virtues to which a man can aspire.
To you, and the nameless hundreds of thousands just like you, I cannot fail to say "Thank you!" enough. Were it not for your years of faithful and selfless service, it is impossible to say where our country would be today. I'm honored that my son is in such company!
Blue
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All I did ....
by From ME to you
was fix airplanes, got promoted and taught people to fix airplanes, got promoted some more and told people to go fix airplanes. Any sacrifice I may have made pales in comparison to the sacrifices of those people who are the "boots on the ground".
I have a cousin in the Marines (Semper Fi) who has been in theater. He's younger than me and shorter than me but I look up to him! There are sacrifices and then there are SACRIFICES. The actions of the current crop of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are in the latter grouping.
Gerry, MSgt USAF(retired)
The formula for victory:
"get there first with the most"
Gen Nathan Bedford Forrest
Ahhhhh, Gerry ...
by Blue Collar Muse
Your modesty just illustrates my point.
"All I did" and "I just" are nothing more than Secret Squirrel code for a truth that ought to be self evident to all.
Regardless of the terms of your service - it's length, it's content or even the level of "success" achieved as measured by promotions and such - "All that you just did" was demonstrate your commitment to the position that there are some things more precious and valuable than the life of an individual.
You, in the most valuable currency any of us possess, put your money down on "America" as opposed to Gerry; on "Liberty" as opposed to on any of the myriad other players, from Fascism to Communism, that take the field against her; on "Service" as opposed to being served.
It is a demonstrated fact that there are far more troops engaged in supporting the front line soldier than there are on the front lines. But no one in our Armed Forces today gets there against his will - everyone volunteers. It is a fact that many of our soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen get valuable training that stand them in good stead after their service is done. But no college student learns in an environment where the lives of his colleagues and his own and the existence of his country and way of life are dependent upon his performance.
It is a measure of your greatness that you defer to the service of others. That is exactly the attitude I was referring to. Again, thank you for perfectly illustrating my point. And thank you for "all that you just did". May I and a grateful nation be worthy of men and women like you.
Blue
For more from The Muse, please visit Blue Collar Muse; and
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I. Love. That. Video. <nt>
by E Pluribus Unum
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
I love that video as well ...
by Blue Collar Muse
The coolest thing for me, having had the video up in my VodPod account for some time, was to witness it live! That my son was on the receiving end of such a reception touches places in me that I'm not sure I can articulate. Perhaps parts of the video were staged to get the right angles and such. But I witnessed the exact same thing with my own eyes.
The folks bad mouthing the troops and messing with them for political gain (on both sides of the aisle) would be well advised to take a trip to Atlanta and sit at the baggage claim carousel for a couple of hours before claiming to speak for the rest of us.
Such a uniform response from such a wide cross section of the populace would quickly dispel any notion that America somehow doesn't want her fighting men and women protected, respected and honored at all cost.
Blue
For more from The Muse, please visit Blue Collar Muse; and
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Hey Blue....
by Steve Foley
...this ones good too:
Founder and contributor to The Minority Report and Editor for The Hinzsight Report
I hadn't seen that one, sooooo ...
by Blue Collar Muse
... color me scurrying off to post it at my place!!
The most memorable moments were the Marine at the Gathering of Eagles (I've heard about this guy but never seen any video) and the contrast between those giving America the finger and the finger America gave the Iraqis. Inspiring.
One addition is the accusation from the Lefties that America and those who stand with her are Fascists. I was privileged to hear Jonah Goldberg speak this week and he talked about his new book, Liberal Fascism. Those people who label proud Americans as Fascists, have no idea what either of those terms really mean. Goldberg's book promises to be excellent and a recommended read.
Thanks for sharing.
For more from The Muse, please visit Blue Collar Muse; and
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Anytime brother!
by Steve Foley
That reminds me everyone should check this out: Jonah Goldberg @ The Heritage Foundation Parts 1 & 2
Founder and contributor to The Minority Report and Editor for The Hinzsight Report
On Jonah Goldberg ...
by Blue Collar Muse
Steve -
I've tried to follow that link and it's to nowhere. However, I hope you can repost it because if it's the talk that JG gave this last week in Atlanta at the Resource Bank, it's the one I was referring to. I was privileged to hear it in person and it was fantastic!!
Blue
For more from The Muse, please visit Blue Collar Muse; and
The Voice of Liberty Podcast Network
Here you go
by Steve Foley
Jonah Goldberg @ The Heritage Foundation Parts 1 & 2
Founder and contributor to The Minority Report and Editor for The Hinzsight Report
I think I got in now!
by Steve Foley
Jonah Goldberg @ The Heritage Foundation Parts 1 & 2
Founder and contributor to The Minority Report and Editor for The Hinzsight Report"
Steve -- That was AWESOME!
by Lord_Vegas
to borrow a phrase from our President.
_________
You sir and the creators of that video are awarded..
by From ME to you
5 STARS
Si vis pacem para bellum.
The response in Atlanta is - thankfully -
by mbecker908
not unique. I've seen the same response and applause here in Phoenix.
In terms of "being out of touch with reality" the Left and MSM hold the standard. They simply refuse to recognise the esteem our troops are held in by the vast majority of Americans.
Bless your son, we'll be praying for his safe return. Been where you're at with our Marine and sometimes sitting in a comfy chair at home is more difficult than being deployed.
____
CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.
member at the metro or the grocery store thank them....I do it every time and they are always happy to hear you say it...
for all the military who read this site THANK YOU!!!!!
Freedom of Religion not Freedom from Religion
Blue, what a wonderful post
by peg c
We don't get to travel much but when we do we always see troops and thank them. During long layovers I have been known to go looking for troops in the airport and nearly running them down to thank them for their service. I do this in all stores as well. I'm near an ANG base so lots of opportunity. The chance to share a flight with these folks and hear the applause of their fellow passengers brings a tear to my eye, truly.
What you write about our volunteer servicemen and women is so true and so moving. We are all humbled before them. I know they often don't want to hear that because they are actually extremely humble themselves. What I truly detest is the arrogance, fear and loathing displayed by some American citizens
towards our military. I know they are in quite the minority but they are very noisy. We need to keep drowning them out.
God Bless them all.
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Thank you and thank your son and when you communicate with him in any fashion thank the people with him who are also serving. It's wonderful to know that some people still believe that some ideas are bigger than they are and deserve to be protected at any cost. The troops are in my prayers.
Gerry, MSgt, USAF(retired), Maine