Welcome Home
Last Thursday, I witnessed an event that every American should see at least once in their lifetime. I was in a crowd that welcomed home 200+ warriors from the war in Iraq. The flight came in early in the morning as family, friends, and co-workers waited for them inside an aircraft hanger. The movie Cars was on a big screen to entertain the kids but they were too excited to watch. Daddy or Mommy was coming home at last. As the time for the plane’s arrival drew closer, you could sense the energy level in the room start to rise.
Finally the L-1011 touched down and started the long slow taxi into place. Here and there I saw tears on the faces of loved ones in anxious anticipation of seeing their loved ones for the first time since before Labor Day. As the plane taxied to a stop, the families rushed to the ropes to be near the front and get a glimpse of the troops returning home. I saw a group of Vietnam vets there with American flags to ensure that never again would returning troops face what they faced. I get misty eyed just thinking about it. I saw a man who would not be greeting anyone that day. His son-in-law was shot down and killed just before Thanksgiving. He told us that he wanted to be there for those that did come home.
As the squadron commanders formed a reception line at the bottom of the stairway, the Vietnam vets were invited to join them. Then the men and women who volunteered to lay their lives in harms way for you and I began to exit the airplane. Loud cheers went up from the assembled crowd. I wasn’t there to meet anyone in particular but I felt the adrenaline rush just the same. Soon I was shaking hands and hugging people that I hadn’t seen in months. They were just glad to see friendly faces. I’m pretty sure that one troop had me confused with someone else as she gave me a big hug when I welcomed her home. I still don’t know her name but that doesn’t matter.
It occurred to me that they were returning home to the expectation of safety and freedom. They had that expectation because another group of brave warriors, just like them, had taken their place to provide that safety and liberty. It angers me beyond description that the politicians of the left utilize the propaganda machine of the MSM and their influence over the purse strings to endanger the lives of heroes like my friends and co-workers. The Pelosi’s, Clinton’s, and Reid’s of the government that give lip service to supporting our troops while calling for their funding to be cut further increases the danger that these people faced everyday. They vote to cut funding for the war and then denounce the administration for not giving the troops the proper equipment. Let’s call it what it is. It is liberal hypocrisy and it endangers the men and women of the United States military.
As the last of the people left the plane and walked into the hangar, Lee Greenwood’s “I’m Proud to be an American” blared from the loudspeakers. The lump in my throat turned to tears on my cheek. Yes I’m proud and I’m fortunate to be part of the greatest military on the face of the earth. I hope that each of you will one day share these sentiments.
Finally the L-1011 touched down and started the long slow taxi into place. Here and there I saw tears on the faces of loved ones in anxious anticipation of seeing their loved ones for the first time since before Labor Day. As the plane taxied to a stop, the families rushed to the ropes to be near the front and get a glimpse of the troops returning home. I saw a group of Vietnam vets there with American flags to ensure that never again would returning troops face what they faced. I get misty eyed just thinking about it. I saw a man who would not be greeting anyone that day. His son-in-law was shot down and killed just before Thanksgiving. He told us that he wanted to be there for those that did come home.
As the squadron commanders formed a reception line at the bottom of the stairway, the Vietnam vets were invited to join them. Then the men and women who volunteered to lay their lives in harms way for you and I began to exit the airplane. Loud cheers went up from the assembled crowd. I wasn’t there to meet anyone in particular but I felt the adrenaline rush just the same. Soon I was shaking hands and hugging people that I hadn’t seen in months. They were just glad to see friendly faces. I’m pretty sure that one troop had me confused with someone else as she gave me a big hug when I welcomed her home. I still don’t know her name but that doesn’t matter.
It occurred to me that they were returning home to the expectation of safety and freedom. They had that expectation because another group of brave warriors, just like them, had taken their place to provide that safety and liberty. It angers me beyond description that the politicians of the left utilize the propaganda machine of the MSM and their influence over the purse strings to endanger the lives of heroes like my friends and co-workers. The Pelosi’s, Clinton’s, and Reid’s of the government that give lip service to supporting our troops while calling for their funding to be cut further increases the danger that these people faced everyday. They vote to cut funding for the war and then denounce the administration for not giving the troops the proper equipment. Let’s call it what it is. It is liberal hypocrisy and it endangers the men and women of the United States military.
As the last of the people left the plane and walked into the hangar, Lee Greenwood’s “I’m Proud to be an American” blared from the loudspeakers. The lump in my throat turned to tears on my cheek. Yes I’m proud and I’m fortunate to be part of the greatest military on the face of the earth. I hope that each of you will one day share these sentiments.
Labels: Patriots and Heroes
posted by Moneyman at 11:15 AM
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