Sack Lunches

[KillShot]

This may or may not be true, but it choked me up and wanted to share it with you all. I received it in an email from my uncle this morning. This veteran's day, make it a point to shake the hand of a veteran.

I think everyday should be Veteran's Day!

All gave some...some gave all. Prisoners Of War, and those who are still listed as Missing In Action...you are NOT forgotten!

[Broken External Image]

Snack 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.

 

[ez bake]

I sure hope it's true.

Very cool if it is, if not, hopefully someone reads it and copies it. I'm pretty sure I will if given the opportunity.

 

[Zombie]

I've seen this happen in various ways of somebody buying others lunch and have had it happen to me when I was in. It is always a great feeling and I have tried to return the favor and pass it on when I can.

 

[Perrone]

I've seen this happen in various ways of somebody buying others lunch and have had it happen to me when I was in. It is always a great feeling and I have tried to return the favor and pass it on when I can.

+1
I always had someone offering me money or food when I was at airports in uniform. Some people actually do have a heart i guess.

 

[jbarnett]

That was really good. Thanks.

 

[hipshot]

Class act for sure!! Thanks from our son in Iraq!

 

[KillShot]

I was in Texas Roadhouse on Veteran's Day last year and when I finished paying my ticket, I noticed an elderly man with a ballcap on with the insignia of the ship which he was assigned to. I asked his name, shook his hand and with tears in my eyes, thanked him for his service.

Although she has her faults, I still believe we live in the greatest nation on Earth. Each time I see Old Glory waving in the wind, I am overcome with pride for my country. Long may she wave....