A Simple Thank
You
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.
Stuart Margel, Washington, D.C.
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