Great Act of Patriotism
Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While
I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind
me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and
witnessed one of the greatest act's of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's,
as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone)
was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.
When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and
cheered for it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded
American who still loves this country and supports our troops and
their families.
Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these
young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday
for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or
reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country
or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7
years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and
said "hi," the little girl then she asked him if he would give
something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he didn't look any
older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want
to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck
of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then
kissed him on the cheek.
The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name
was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine
and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining
how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier
began to tear up. When this temporarily single mom was done
explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a
brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military
looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and
talking back and forth on it.
After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back
over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your
daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this
little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He
finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you
more than anything and he is coming home very soon."
The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as
the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom.
I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event
unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their
gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and
looked around, their were very few dry eyes, including my own. That
young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew
a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.
We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their
families and thank God for them and their service to our country.
I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind
me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and
witnessed one of the greatest act's of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's,
as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone)
was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.
When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and
cheered for it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded
American who still loves this country and supports our troops and
their families.
Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these
young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday
for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or
reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country
or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7
years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and
said "hi," the little girl then she asked him if he would give
something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he didn't look any
older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want
to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck
of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then
kissed him on the cheek.
The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name
was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine
and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining
how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier
began to tear up. When this temporarily single mom was done
explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a
brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military
looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and
talking back and forth on it.
After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back
over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your
daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this
little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He
finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you
more than anything and he is coming home very soon."
The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as
the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom.
I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event
unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their
gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and
looked around, their were very few dry eyes, including my own. That
young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew
a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.
We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their
families and thank God for them and their service to our country.
