This was just shared with me and I wanted to share with you ! | Miki's Hope

This was just shared with me and I wanted to share with you !

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

This was just shared with me and I wanted to share with you !


Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned

seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will

get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats,
totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Petawawa.
We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan.

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for
five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch

would help pass the time...

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch.
‘No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks.

I'll wait till we get to base.
His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch.
I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all
those soldiers.'
She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a
soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my
seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she
asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first
class.

'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man
stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five
dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at
the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the
numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand
and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the
Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once,
someone bought me a lunch.
It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the
passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six
rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in
my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.

Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something
in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another
twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base.
I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars.
It will take you some time to reach the base.

It will be about time for a sandwich.
God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These
soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of

meals. It seemed so little...


A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made
payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and

including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'



I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

6 comments :

Anonymous said...

My daddy was an army colonel. My sister is an army Major. Her husband is a Lt. colonel.

They all served in war time, as well as my nephew.

I was at DFW airport and a group of soldiers were there. They had a band playing and flags being handed out. I cried.

Robin Quick said...

Wow what a great story to wake up to this morning! It brought on the tears! My step-son is in the Air-Force and stationed in Japan so this really touched my heart. God Bless our soldiers & God Bless America!!!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks Michele! My dad was in the Army for 22 years and served in Korea. I make sure about once a month I send my donation to the Paralyzed Veterans in honor of my dad. I have told them many times they do not have to send me labels or any other kind of gift. Just use the money on something else but I still get them because they are men of honor who repay and don't believe in handouts. So, I continue to get my labels and I use them proudly every time. I make sure to use the logos and such on the back of envelopes when I mail something to remind people to support our troops. Usually the logos will say Proud to be An American, Support Our Troops, etc. I never miss an opportunity to remind whoever gets my letters or bills that I pay. Great post!

Mary@http://www.mmbearcupoftea.com

maryjaco1 said...

Oh man, what a wonderful post. This brought tears to my eyes.

Vicki said...

My dad and brother in law were in the Army, my son and brother in the Marines.

I'm glad I keep a box of tissues by my computer because I need them when I read posts like this!

Charlotte Varner said...

My brother retired from the Army as a sergeant. This was a wonderful post, thanks for sharing!!

God Bless The USA & Our Soldiers!!

 
Miki's Hope . Design by Pocket