Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No. I'm escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington, D.C.
Also, here are two very touching photos honored at this years International Picture of the Year.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No. I'm escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington, D.C.
Also, here are two very touching photos honored at this years International Picture of the Year.
posted by veritas at 20:32
2 Comments:
It is Christmas night, the children are just going to bed after a long crazy day. They are still wound up but they are winding down.... There is one child not here, my son. He is a Marine in Irac... I shed some tears earlier today of course I miss him and pray and hope that he is safe. It was a hectic day, I went out to get some smokes and at the gas station that I stopped at there was a blazer with Army tags on it, so I waited for the person who owned to come out, and when he did I wanted to wish him a Merry Christmas, I had to....I'm a vet so I know, I let him know that my boy is in Iraq now, and he informed me that he just got back.... well as you might guess.. when I got back in my van and shed a few more tears.... I thought that my day was actually going real well in comparison to what my son is dealing with. This picture that is posted here, once again reminds me that every moment we have are prescious.
Semper Fi
I Love you Richie
Dad
At this moment & give thanks to Allah Swt that i still have life this day to repent for the things i did wrong & hope that one day there will be peace on earth, InshAllah - Allah be willing.
As many christians have celebrated their xmas hols and have their kids away from home.
I also take this moment to bring to the intention the crying mothers in Iraq this Eid Al Adha who have lost their innocent kids, slaughtered and brutalised with drill bits generally used for DIY at home but now used in savage rage against innocent civilians.
To every soul that has seen its last in these years of blood shed, i can only hope that judgement day the ones who are accountable for their deaths will be punished justly by The Creater Allah.
Peace to the guests in iraq.
Wa as salam alaikum wa rahamtullah wa barakatu ya akwan fil iraq. Hubb Allah wa sowi ibada kathir fee sibliAllah.
froma fellow blogger of western origion reverted to islam.
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