Todd and Tyler Unauthorized Forums

ob1

Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While I was in
the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to
clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the
greatest act's of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, as they
began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to
their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers,
probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for it hit me. I'm not
alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still loves this country
and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung
heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go
to school, work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I
could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a
young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male
soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl then she asked him
if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he
didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did
she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the
neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then
kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney,
told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq
for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter,
Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this
temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the
soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other
servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started
playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to
Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he
told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had
just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "your
daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is
coming home very soon."

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young
soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing
no more than 6 feet away from this entire event unfolded. As the soldiers
began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause.
As I stood there applauding and looked around, their were very few dry
eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness,
turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his
cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and
thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good
to be an American.

Thender

Thanks for the tear jerker, ob1....

__________________

Shenandoah, American Legion Post #88 Color Guard, State Color Guard Champions for 2008 - 2009

Two in the mouth is worth one in the bush.

ob1

It touched my heart as well. It was sent in an email and wanted to share with you all.

I thought that it was appropriate in that Independence Day is on the horizon.

jpa

thanks ob1

__________________
"Never offend people with style when you can offend them with substance."
--Sam Brown

mike

ob1, thank you very much for that story. People need to realize that the men and women that are fighting all over the world aren't just robots.

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Thender

We weren't? Some of my seargents sure treated me that way....

__________________

Shenandoah, American Legion Post #88 Color Guard, State Color Guard Champions for 2008 - 2009

Two in the mouth is worth one in the bush.

mike

I didn't say the way we were treated. I'm just talking reality.

__________________

If I like you, leave a message. If I don't , don't bother. If I don't know you, why the hell you calling me ??

Thender

Yeah, okay....

Anyway, I just found it great that those soldiers came up with something for the little girl so quick.... Fast thinking and men of action!

__________________

Shenandoah, American Legion Post #88 Color Guard, State Color Guard Champions for 2008 - 2009

Two in the mouth is worth one in the bush.

mike

that was cool as hell!!

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If I like you, leave a message. If I don't , don't bother. If I don't know you, why the hell you calling me ??

Bomaster1

Nice post OB, yes a tear jerker. I was in a bad mood, but after reading that I feel a lot better. Thank You.

Chubby

That's so sad. Anyone have a Kleenex?

__________________
Getting Hitched to a Redneck!

Thender

Here, you can have my hankie, it's a little damp though....

__________________

Shenandoah, American Legion Post #88 Color Guard, State Color Guard Champions for 2008 - 2009

Two in the mouth is worth one in the bush.

mike

and crusty!!

__________________

If I like you, leave a message. If I don't , don't bother. If I don't know you, why the hell you calling me ??

Chubby

EWWW. That's just gross. Nasty, I say just nasty. And you too Mike.

__________________
Getting Hitched to a Redneck!

Thender

My hankie was damp with tears!!! Get your mind out of the gutter!!!

__________________

Shenandoah, American Legion Post #88 Color Guard, State Color Guard Champions for 2008 - 2009

Two in the mouth is worth one in the bush.

mike

Hey, it's his hanky,not mine!!!

__________________

If I like you, leave a message. If I don't , don't bother. If I don't know you, why the hell you calling me ??

ob1

I am glad that this has touched so many...bless the US of A and all the service people who serve in its honor.

josh

GREAT POST ob1. yes GOD BLESS THE USA.

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2ox

Late last summer I was at Hartsfield airport in Atlanta. And its clearly a major arrival/departure point for our military men and women. I quickly realized how to tell who was coming home and who was leaving for the first time.

The first-timers dressed in their camos, ironed. Duffles packed, stacked and racked to code. Eager to serve and a twinkle in their eye. When addressed it was a quick "yes sir", "thank you sir".

The soldiers coming home dressed in their camos, ironed. Duffles packed, stacked and racked to code. Eager to serve. When addressed it was a quick "yes sir", "thank you sir".

The difference...

From the wear on their boots it was clear they had walked a 1000 miles in desert sand. And the twinkle was no longer that of a boy or girl, but that of a young man and a young woman.

Thanks for the post ob1. Yet another example of why I'm proud to be an American and grateful to live in this country.

__________________
"I took a look inside your bedroom door...You looked so good lying on your bed...Well, I asked you if you wanted any rhythm and love...You said you wanna rock 'n' roll instead"

mike

'ox, thanks for that post. It says something I had forgotten about over the years since I've been out. It didn't matter how tired I was,what I had been through, I still had respect for the uniform that represented my country, and the people I was fighting for.

__________________

If I like you, leave a message. If I don't , don't bother. If I don't know you, why the hell you calling me ??

ob1

Yep, nice post indeed 'ox...thanks.

__________________
Ban the lizards!

Thender

Exactly!

__________________

Shenandoah, American Legion Post #88 Color Guard, State Color Guard Champions for 2008 - 2009

Two in the mouth is worth one in the bush.

jpa

__________________
"Never offend people with style when you can offend them with substance."
--Sam Brown