Alli-max
05-13-2003, 21:58
I read these every now and again, and this one was really touching. I understand this is General discussion, but i beg you Mods to keep this here, even if it takes bandwidth. There are some things that are just more important that diesel trucks and Juice boxes sometimes. Thank you for all the past and present Armed Forces guys and gals, including some of you who are on this page. Hats off.
This email is from Andy Nelson, an employee with Doster Construction inMontgomery,Alabama:
I want to tell you of an experience I had last night flying home fromAtlanta. The pilot came on the intercom and went through the usual announcements telling us that "we're just east ofMontgomerycruising at 28,000 feet" and "you've picked a beautiful night for flying, just look at the gorgeous southern sunset out of the right side of the plane".
He then, however, and said this:
"Please bear with me as I deviate from the script, but I want you all to know that simply by coincidence you have been granted both the privilege and honor of escorting the body of Army PFC Howard Johnson, Jr. home tonight. PFC Johnson was killed inIraqdefending the freedoms we all enjoy, and fighting to extend those freedoms to the people ofIraq. We are also accompanied by PFC Johnson's cousin, Marine Major Talley, who has been chosen by the family to escort PFC Johnson home. Semper Fi!"
The plane quickly became very quiet, but soon erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for several minutes. It was quite moving, to say the least. As I sat there thinking about what the pilot had said, and visualizing PFC Johnson's dead body riding below me in the belly of that plane, I noticed a couple of things.
Two rows in front of me sat a father holding his daughter, an infant, and they were practicing "ma-ma" and in the row behind me was another young boy, probably 2 or so, learning to count to 10. Now obviously both are too young to realize we're at war, or that one of our dead was with us, but it made me think, and this is the point:
These warriors, mostly young, all volunteers, everyday are prepared to give their lives for our future, for a safer, more secure
future for people they don't even know, all based on the principle that fighting and dying for this country is worth it. You all know and agree with this, but not everyone does, so I would ask that if you meet anyone that's not "on board" with this philosophy, i.e. the protesters to which Bob refers, that you "correct the situation".
By the way, the flight ended with all of us deplaning only to line the windows of the gate house to watch PFC Johnson's body, draped in the American flag, be rolled out of the plane and into a waiting hearse that was surrounded by his family members.
Please pray that our soldiers' sight is acute, their aim is true, and that as many come home as God can spare.
This email is from Andy Nelson, an employee with Doster Construction inMontgomery,Alabama:
I want to tell you of an experience I had last night flying home fromAtlanta. The pilot came on the intercom and went through the usual announcements telling us that "we're just east ofMontgomerycruising at 28,000 feet" and "you've picked a beautiful night for flying, just look at the gorgeous southern sunset out of the right side of the plane".
He then, however, and said this:
"Please bear with me as I deviate from the script, but I want you all to know that simply by coincidence you have been granted both the privilege and honor of escorting the body of Army PFC Howard Johnson, Jr. home tonight. PFC Johnson was killed inIraqdefending the freedoms we all enjoy, and fighting to extend those freedoms to the people ofIraq. We are also accompanied by PFC Johnson's cousin, Marine Major Talley, who has been chosen by the family to escort PFC Johnson home. Semper Fi!"
The plane quickly became very quiet, but soon erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for several minutes. It was quite moving, to say the least. As I sat there thinking about what the pilot had said, and visualizing PFC Johnson's dead body riding below me in the belly of that plane, I noticed a couple of things.
Two rows in front of me sat a father holding his daughter, an infant, and they were practicing "ma-ma" and in the row behind me was another young boy, probably 2 or so, learning to count to 10. Now obviously both are too young to realize we're at war, or that one of our dead was with us, but it made me think, and this is the point:
These warriors, mostly young, all volunteers, everyday are prepared to give their lives for our future, for a safer, more secure
future for people they don't even know, all based on the principle that fighting and dying for this country is worth it. You all know and agree with this, but not everyone does, so I would ask that if you meet anyone that's not "on board" with this philosophy, i.e. the protesters to which Bob refers, that you "correct the situation".
By the way, the flight ended with all of us deplaning only to line the windows of the gate house to watch PFC Johnson's body, draped in the American flag, be rolled out of the plane and into a waiting hearse that was surrounded by his family members.
Please pray that our soldiers' sight is acute, their aim is true, and that as many come home as God can spare.