Patriotism Alive and Well

Golfgar4 · Nov 3, 2003

Thanks to ALL of you for responding with those kind and supportive words. Just hearing them from such good folks as you all convinces me that not only my son, but all of our military personnel, will be treated with the respect and honor that they so richly deserve. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

( I'm a veteran of two tours of Viet Nam. )

Harv, it is I who should be shaking your hand. Thank you for YOUR service to our country. I never had the experience of serving anywhere over seas, but if the negative experience that I went through saved one of the service people that did serve overseas from experiencing it, then I'm glad I was able to help out that way.

One day we may be able to meet and shake each others hand! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

( What specialty and what kind of training will your son get in San Antonio? )

Jim,

He's shipping out next week to San Antonio (Lackland Air force Base?) to attend Master-At-Arms training. But his long term plan is to participate in a program they call Seaman to Admiral. It's an educational program that encourages enlisted personnel to continue on with their college education and get a degree. He wants to finish school, get a commission, then get his law degree and serve in JAG Corps.

He did mention, however, that he has found out that the Navy does sponsor various athletic programs and athletes for possible Olympic competition. Well, golf is being considered as an Olympic sport. You may recall that right out of high school, my son attended a Golf Academy with the idea of becoming a teaching pro. So, if the sport is included in Olympic competition, he might see how that could fit into his plans too!

Regarless, he's planning on making the Navy a career and put in his 20! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Thanks again for the nice comments!

Golfgar4 · Nov 6, 2003

Someone just sent this to me via e-mail. I thought I might share it if you haven't already seen it.

( The writer and his wife live in LA and both work for Uncle Sam.

A Day at Baltimore Airport

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope that you will spare me a few minutes of your time to tell you about something that I saw on Monday, October 27.

I had been attending a conference in Annapolis and was coming home on Sunday. As you may recall, Los Angeles International Airport was closed on Sunday, October 26, because of the fires that affected air traffic control. Accordingly, my flight, and many others, were canceled and I wound up spending a night in Baltimore.

My story begins the next day. When I went to check in at the United counter Monday morning I saw a lot of soldiers home from Iraq. Most were very young and all had on their desert camouflage uniforms. This was as change from earlier, when they had to buy civilian clothes in Kuwait to fly home. It was a visible reminder that we are in a war. It
probably was pretty close to what train terminals were like in World War II.

Many people were stopping the troops to talk to them, asking them questions in the Starbucks line or just saying "Welcome Home." In addition to all the flights that had been canceled on Sunday, the weather was terrible in Baltimore and the flights were backed up. So, there were a lot of unhappy people in the terminal trying to get home,
but nobody that I saw gave the soldiers a bad time.

By the afternoon, one plane to Denver had been delayed several hours. United personnel kept asking for volunteers to give up their seats and take another flight. They weren't getting many takers. Finally, a United spokeswoman got on the PA and said this, "Folks. As you can see, there are a lot of soldiers in the waiting area. They only have 14 days
of leave and we're trying to get them where they need to go without spending any more time in an airport then they have to. We sold them all tickets, knowing we would oversell the flight. If we can, we want to get them all on this flight. We want all the soldiers to know that we respect what you're doing, we are here for you and we love you."

At that, the entire terminal of cranky, tired, travel-weary people, a cross-section of America, broke into sustained and heartfelt applause. The soldiers looked surprised and very modest. Most of them just looked at their boots. Many of us were wiping away tears.

And, yes, people lined up to take the later flight and all the soldiers went to Denver on that flight.

That little moment made me proud to be an American, and also told me why we will win this war.

If you want to send my little story on to your friends and family, feel free. This is not some urban legend. I was there, I was part of it, I saw it happen.

Will Ross
Administrative Judge
United States Department of Defense

)

Docsknotinn · Nov 6, 2003

Here ! Here ! Three cheers for the folks at the airport. I am not one to give up my seat or take the air line bribes But I would gladly have surrendered a seat that day. I sure remember traveling home in uniform with not much cash in my pocket and more than once was shown a kindness by a stranger in a airport. It would indeed be nice to return the favor. GolfGar, it sure sounds like that young Man has a good head on his shoulders and a plan. My best wishes and prayers for his safety and continued success on his adventures. Dave

Golfgar4 · Nov 6, 2003

( GolfGar, it sure sounds like that young Man has a good head on his shoulders and a plan. )

Thanks much, Dave! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Yes, it took him a little longer to get there than I would have liked, but I think he's made it. He's headed in the right direction, and has the ability to make it all work. But more importantly, he's learned, and believes, that he can do it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I'm sure that over time, I'll have some updates for everyone. You know how proud Dad's, and soon to be granddad, can be about bragging about their kids! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif