03-29-2007, 09:14
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#1
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Area Commander
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pinehurst,NC
Posts: 1,091
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Thanks to my fellow Americans
Despite the constant barrage of negative press, sometimes the little things or gestures can make a difference. Maybe these gestures are not so little after all.
My oldest just came in from Iraq for two weeks of R & R. He was a little blown away by the warm reception he received from well wishers encountered at the various airports visited on his long trek home. In the Atlanta and Dallas airports he said folks cheered as he came off the plane. He wasn't quite ready for that and I believe it really meant something special to him. I'm not sure if these folks were members of orgainized groups who do this on a routine basis, but even if they were, it doesn't diminish its meaning.
Additonally, an older couple in the Dallas airport commandeered him for a while wanting to know all about him and his experiences in Iraq and would not take no for an answer when insisting they be allowed to send him Lakers' tickets. Sure enough, the tickets arrived two days after my son, and he and his brother who recently came back from Afghanistan will enjoy the game this Sunday.
I personally am so proud of these folks and so touched by their generous treatment of my son, that I can scarcely see the words as I write them as my emotions are somewhat getting the best of me.
Sometimes it just feels good to be an American and to live among folks like the ones mentioned above.
As a parent who sends his sons off to war, you often can feel isolated. The above has restored my faith in many ways.
__________________
Let us conduct ourselves in such a fashion that all nations wish to be our friends and all fear to be our enemies. The Virtues of War - Steven Pressfield
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dennisw is offline
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03-29-2007, 09:49
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#2
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Area Commander
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 1,425
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Great post dennis! Glad your sons are safe proud papa!
__________________
You ask; What is our policy? I will say; “It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy.” You ask; What is our aim? I can answer with one word: Victory—victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.-Winston Churchill
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Goggles Pizano is offline
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03-29-2007, 09:51
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#3
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 20,929
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Good for him, I know it's something he will never forget.
TS
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"The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy, but where they are."
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Team Sergeant is offline
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03-29-2007, 10:21
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#4
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: In transit somewhere
Posts: 4,044
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Great post Dennis! Hope your sons get some rest on R&R... wouldn't it be nice for the lib press/MSM to do a story on something like your son's reception?
__________________
In the business of war, there is no invariable stategic advantage (shih) which can be relied upon at all times.
Sun-Tzu, "The Art of Warfare"
Hearing, I forget. Seeing, I remember. Writing (doing), I understand. Chinese Proverb
Too many people are looking for a magic bullet. As always, shot placement is the key. ~TR
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x SF med is offline
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03-29-2007, 10:25
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#5
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Area Commander
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,205
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Great post Dennis! As you know, there are several on this board who await the homecoming you are enjoying now. I know that the American Legion and the Veterans of Foriegn Wars organize such events, and are always joined by swarms of citizens caught up in the impromtu celebration of our returning heroes.
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CoLawman is offline
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03-29-2007, 10:26
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#6
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BANNED USER
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
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God Bless
May the wind be alway's be behind him, the air fresh to breath, the sun upon his face and the hand of God with him.
We're proud of your son here too.
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82ndtrooper is offline
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03-29-2007, 10:58
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#7
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Auxiliary
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Washington State
Posts: 83
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Thanks for the post
Dennis W.
That was a great post and it's nice to hear the "other side of the story." I do believe there many, many Americans who feel the same way as the older couple who provided the Lakers tickets. However, they choose to show their appreciation directly to the soldiers rather than through the media. Please offer my thanks to your sons as well. And keep in touch with the other parents on PS.com
Mike
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18C Dad is offline
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03-29-2007, 12:40
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#8
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Guerrilla
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Southern Puget Sound
Posts: 302
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Team Sergeant
Good for him, I know it's something he will never forget.
TS
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This is very true. I'll never forget coming back, stopping in Bangor, Maine on the way back to Bragg. Tiny airport, but it was lined with greeters, every one offering a handshake and/or a hug. It was pre-arranged, but came as a total surprise to us and we could not shake a permanent smile from our faces. Very powerful stuff.
Dennis, great post, thanks for sharing.
__________________
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse.
--John Stewart Mill--
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Weazle23 is offline
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03-29-2007, 16:44
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#9
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Area Commander
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Midwest
Posts: 7,134
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dennisw, what a great story! So glad your son is home for some R&R. 
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My Heroes wear camouflage.
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Gypsy is offline
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03-29-2007, 17:01
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#10
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 273
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Dennis:
Great post! I've seen the video of the folks at DFW greeting the troops and it makes your heart swell with pride at what they're doing in support of the troops. We'll always keep the faith!
Enjoy your time with Cole and Rusty and please pass along a "Well Done, guys!" from me.
__________________
Hipshot
11B4S - Sgt, 5th SFG(A)
11B4S - S/Sgt, C/3/10th SFG(A)
11F4S - S/Sgt, B/2/12th SFG(A)
a.k.a. Sheep Dog Daddy
God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind.
Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you.
It's your choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick.
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Hipshot is offline
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03-29-2007, 17:08
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#11
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Area Commander
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pacific NorthWet
Posts: 1,495
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Thanks for the post, I know there are Americans out there, that makes one proud to be called a American. This is one of those occasions, the actions of your son and those people who treated him very well.
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HOLLiS is offline
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04-02-2007, 22:39
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#12
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Auxiliary
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: the west coast
Posts: 72
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Dennis, I'm glad their home safe! If they are home on April 14, bring them to Francie's in Corona- Rose is fiddling  , I'll PM you in the a.m.
blustr
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blustr18b is offline
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04-03-2007, 02:23
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#13
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Guerrilla
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 202
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I remember the layover..
I remember my flight landing in Maine as well. This was around Feb. of 2006. We were delayed in Germany and we arrived in Maine around 0200. The greeters stayed there and waited for us even though it was late. They had a number of cellphones for us to use free of charge. They even managed to keep the little cafe in the terminal open for us. It was a very pleasant surprise and a great reminder that even though the media may paint the picture bleek, there are still out there who appreciate us.
I'm glad to hear your son is home and well!
__________________
"All I ask from this life is that when I die, it's FOR something, not OF something."
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jwt5 is offline
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