Department of Offense

I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be a long, uneventful flight home.

With the huge capacity and slow moving people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them, I simply shook my head knowing that this flight was not starting out very well. I was anxious to get home to see my loved ones so I was focused on my issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to get their act together.   

I knew I couldn’t say a word so I just thumbed thru the ‘Sky Mall’ magazine from the seat pocket in front of me. You know it’s really getting rough when you resort to the over priced, useless sky mall crap to break the monotony. With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin door open and no one in any hurry to get us going although we were well past the scheduled take off time. No wonder the airline industry is in trouble I told myself.

Just then, the attendant came on the intercom to inform us all that we were being delayed.

The entire plane let out a collective groan. She resumed speaking to say ‘We are holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to the plane and the delay shouldn’t be more than 5 minutes.

The word came after waiting six times as long as we were promised that I was finally going to be on my way home. Why the hoopla over ‘these’ folks?

I was expecting some celebrity or sport figure to be the reason for the hold up.

Just get their butts in a seat and let’s hit the gas I thought.  

The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and excited voice that we were being joined by several U.S. Marines returning home from Iraq!

Just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause.

The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340 people cheering for them as they searched for their seats.

They were having their hands shook and touched by almost everyone who was within an arm’s distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her.

The applause, whistles and cheering didn’t stop for a long time.

When we were finally airborne, I was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in ‘me’ getting home, finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand.

These men had done for all of us and I had been complaining silently about ‘me’ and ‘my’ issues I took for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and the conveniences of the American way of life.

I took for granted that others had paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to ‘me’ while those Heroes were going home to their loved ones.

I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order and minutes before we landed, I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a request for everyone to remain in their seats until our heroes were allowed to gather their things and be first off the plane.

The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off and we all rose to go about our too often taken for granted everyday freedoms.

I felt proud of them.

I felt it an honor and a privilege to be among th e first to welcome them home and say ‘Thank You for a job well done.’ I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the lesson learned. I can’t say it enough, THANK YOU to those Veterans and active servicemen and women who may read this and a prayer for those who cannot because they are no longer with us.

GOD BLESS AMERICA! WELCOME HOME AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!

This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq.

Pass it on to everyone and pray.
 

They received an immediate resounding standing ovation, and continue to do so every time they perform it! Everyone who loves America should be thrilled to hear this song!Although Diamond Rio has never before done a statement song, they felt compelled to record ‘In God We Still Trust.’ But guess what?
Sadly, major radio stations wouldn’t play it because it was considered ‘politically incorrect’. Consequently, the song was never released to the public.
So America, see what you think.  If this offering speaks to your heart, and you want to share it with friends and loved ones, please do

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN’T LOOKING
 
A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say. 
 
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one. 
 
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals. 
 
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the littlethings can be the special things in life. 
 
When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him. 
 
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.  When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t. 
 
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given. 
 
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up. 
 
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry. 
 
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be. 
 
When you thought I wasn’t looking I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up. 
 
When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say,’Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.’

It is a matter of history that when Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps, he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead. He did this because he said in words to this effect: ‘Get it all on record now – get the films – get the witnesses – because somewhere down the track of history some b* stard will get up and say that this never happened’

‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing’
Edmund Burke

This week, the UK removed The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it ‘offended’ the Muslim population which claims it never occurred. This is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving in to it.It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This blog is in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated with the German and Russian peoples looking the other way!Now, more than ever, with Iran , among others, claiming the Holocaust to be ‘a myth,’ it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets. help distribute this around the world. It will only take a minute to pass this along .    

The eagle has the longest life-span of its’ species

Its’ long and sharp beak becomes bent

Its’ old-aged and heavy wings, due to their thick feathers, become stuck to its’ chest and make it difficult to fly

Then, the eagle is left with only two options: die or go through a painful process of change which lasts 150 days.

The process requires that the eagle fly to a mountain top and sit on its’ nest

There the eagle knocks its’ beak against a rock until it plucks it out
After plucking it out, the eagle will wait for a new beak to grow back and then it will pluck out its’ talons

When its’ new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking its’ old-aged feathers

 And after five months, the eagle takes its famous flight of rebirth and lives for 30 more years

Learn from the Eagle
Spread Your Wings and Fly