AffectionateDan
1st Level Black Feather
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2002
- Messages
- 8,115
- Points
- 36
I recently recieved this email from a friend of mine in the south, and had to share it.
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I want to tell you of an experience I had last night flying home from
Atlanta.
The pilot came on the intercom and went through the usual announcements
telling us that "we're just east of Montgomery cruising at 28,000 feet" and
"you've picked a beautiful night for flying, just look at the gorgeous
southern sunset out of the right side of the plane". He then,
however, said this: "Please bear with me as I deviate from the script, but I
want you all to know that simply by coincidence you have been granted both
the privilege and honor of escorting the body of Army PFC Howard Johnson,
Jr. home tonight. PFC Johnson was killed in Iraq defending the freedoms we
all enjoy, and fighting to extend those freedoms to the people of Iraq. We
are also accompanied by PFC Johnson's cousin, Marine Major Talley, who has
been chosen by the family to escort PFC Johnson home. Semper Fi!"
The plane quickly became very quiet, but soon erupted in thunderous applause
that lasted for several minutes. It was quite moving, to say the least. As I
sat there thinking about what the pilot had said, and visualizing PFC
Johnson's dead body riding below me in the belly of that plane, I noticed a
couple of things. Two rows in front of me sat a father holding his daughter,
an infant, and they were practicing "ma-ma" and in the row behind me was
another young boy, probably 2 or so, learning to count to 10. Now obviously
both are too young to realize we're at war, or that one of our dead was with
us, but it made me think, and this is the point: These warriors, mostly
young, all volunteers, everyday are prepared to give their lives for our
future, for a safer, more secure future for people they don't even know, all
based on the principle that
fighting and dying for this country is worth it. You all know and agree with
this, but not everyone does, so I would ask that if you meet anyone that's
not "on board" with this philosophy, i.e. the protesters to which Bob
refers, that you "correct the situation".
By the way, the flight ended with all of us deplaning only to line the
windows of the gate house to watch PFC Johnson's body, draped in the
American flag, be rolled out of the plane and into a waiting hearse that was
surrounded by his family members.
Please pray that our soldiers' sight is acute, their aim is true, and that
as many come home as God can spare.
Andy Nelson
746 Adams Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Phone 334-834-3767
Fax 334-265-3804
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Things like this need to be shared. God Bless America.
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I want to tell you of an experience I had last night flying home from
Atlanta.
The pilot came on the intercom and went through the usual announcements
telling us that "we're just east of Montgomery cruising at 28,000 feet" and
"you've picked a beautiful night for flying, just look at the gorgeous
southern sunset out of the right side of the plane". He then,
however, said this: "Please bear with me as I deviate from the script, but I
want you all to know that simply by coincidence you have been granted both
the privilege and honor of escorting the body of Army PFC Howard Johnson,
Jr. home tonight. PFC Johnson was killed in Iraq defending the freedoms we
all enjoy, and fighting to extend those freedoms to the people of Iraq. We
are also accompanied by PFC Johnson's cousin, Marine Major Talley, who has
been chosen by the family to escort PFC Johnson home. Semper Fi!"
The plane quickly became very quiet, but soon erupted in thunderous applause
that lasted for several minutes. It was quite moving, to say the least. As I
sat there thinking about what the pilot had said, and visualizing PFC
Johnson's dead body riding below me in the belly of that plane, I noticed a
couple of things. Two rows in front of me sat a father holding his daughter,
an infant, and they were practicing "ma-ma" and in the row behind me was
another young boy, probably 2 or so, learning to count to 10. Now obviously
both are too young to realize we're at war, or that one of our dead was with
us, but it made me think, and this is the point: These warriors, mostly
young, all volunteers, everyday are prepared to give their lives for our
future, for a safer, more secure future for people they don't even know, all
based on the principle that
fighting and dying for this country is worth it. You all know and agree with
this, but not everyone does, so I would ask that if you meet anyone that's
not "on board" with this philosophy, i.e. the protesters to which Bob
refers, that you "correct the situation".
By the way, the flight ended with all of us deplaning only to line the
windows of the gate house to watch PFC Johnson's body, draped in the
American flag, be rolled out of the plane and into a waiting hearse that was
surrounded by his family members.
Please pray that our soldiers' sight is acute, their aim is true, and that
as many come home as God can spare.
Andy Nelson
746 Adams Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Phone 334-834-3767
Fax 334-265-3804
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Things like this need to be shared. God Bless America.
Q
