Sunday, October 5, 2008

Heart Warming Story!

Day after day, we are blanketed by news of our failing economy, we are sickened by the political advertisements, and some days it seems as though the only news we hear is negative.
This story was posted on the "Blue Star Mothers" site.
Please enjoy these uplifting words.




The Sack Lunches



I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. "I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap," I thought.



Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. "Where are you headed?" I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.



"Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq ."



After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.



As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. "No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago ."



His friend agreed.



I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. "Take a lunch to all those soldiers." She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. "My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him."



Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, "Which do you like best - beef or chicken?"



"Chicken," I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. "This is your thanks."



After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. "I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this." He handed me twenty-five dollars.



Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, "I want to shake your hand."



Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, "I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot." I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.



Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.



When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!



Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. "It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You."



Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals.



It seemed so little...

26 comments:

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

Made me cry...

What a wonderful story.

Hallie

Unknown said...

hallie... Truly, it is the little things in life, which mean the most! How very special and loved those soldiers must have felt!

Karen said...

Wonderful post, made me smile. My prayers are with you and yours. We military parents must stick together. God Bless Our Troops!

Unknown said...

karen...thank you so much for stopping and leaving a comment. I do enjoy my visits to your blog!

Michelle said...

I had tears in my eyes when I read this email from BSM. Thank you for sharing it with others.

Unknown said...

michelle...truly, it is well worth the time to post and read. Our Military (you and your daughter included!) deserve so very much in the way of thanks!

Alice said...

I, too had tears. What a great reminder. I hope I get the chance to buy some soldiers a meal or show them some gratitude when the opportunity is right.

Unknown said...

alice..thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. Later in the week, I will post how to send cards and gifts to our military in time for the holidays!
Enjoy this special day, I know you and your husband have some celebrating to do!

Lela said...

Airmanmom, you're right, it is a wonderful story. Wish there were more of them around to remind us that we're all part of the human race.

Lanny said...

Greetings Airmanmom,

I loved this story. We make an effort to pay for meals when we see somebody in uniform. We feel like it's the least we can do. We always ask to do it anonymously, but we are usually outed. My dad was in the Army. :)

Tami said...

Thank you for posting that. I sat in my office and cried.
It's the little things.

Hugz,
Tami

Unknown said...

lela...I'm so glad you stopped by and left a comment... it is always the little things which mean the most, aren't they?

Unknown said...

lanny..I'm certain you have made many a soldier, airman, sailor and marine feel appreciated!

Unknown said...

tami... I'm so glad you left your comment! Always the little things... which end up not being little!

Call Me Grandma said...

Wonderful story. It made me smile.

Unknown said...

That was a lovely post.

Bag Blog said...

I love that story - thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

grandma...it's always nice for you to stop by!

Unknown said...

megrayansmom...thank you for the kind words and for stopping by!

Unknown said...

bagblog...thank YOU for taking the time to stop and read.

Donna said...

This is a beautiful story! I read it the other day and didn't have a chance to leave a comment. So I came back to say THANK YOU! It gave me a good cry!

Unknown said...

donna, it means so much that you took the time to come back and leave a comment.

K-Dubyah said...

Airman Mom,

May I steal this?

I have tears sliding down my face...

Unknown said...

ky... PLEASE do! This little corner of the blogworld belongs to everyone who loves our country and respects our military as much as I do!

Debbi (no 'e' on the end) said...

I am so sobbing right now...WOW! Great story & I will share with all I can too. Thank you!

Unknown said...

debbi...thanks for stopping by and please DO share this story!