I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to

hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start

what I was sure to be a long, uneventful flight home. With the huge

capacity and slow moving people taking their time to stuff luggage

far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to

holding up the growing line behind them, I simply shook  my head

knowing that this flight was not starting out very well.

I was eager to get home to see my loved ones so I was focus

on "my" issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for some

of these clowns to get their act together. I knew I couldn't say a

word so I just thumbed thru the "Sky Mall" magazine from the seat

pocket in front of me. You know it's really getting rough when you

resort to the over priced, useless sky mall crap to break the

monotony.

With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin

door open and no one in any hurry to get us going although we were

well past the scheduled take off time. No wonder the airline

industry is in trouble I told myself.

Just then, the attendant came on the intercom to inform us

all that we were being delayed. The entire plane let out a

collective groan. She resumed speaking to say "We are holding the

aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to the

plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes.

The word came after waiting six times as long as we were

promised that "I" was finally going to be on my way home. Why the

hoopla over "these" folks? I was expecting some celebrity or sport

figure to be the reason for the hold up ... Just get their butts in

a seat and let's hit the gas I thought.

The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a

loud and excited voice that we were being joined by several U. S.

Marines returning home from Iraq!!! Just as they walked on board,

the entire plane erupted into applause. The men were a bit taken by

surprise by the 340 people cheering for them as they searched for

their seats. They were having their hands shook and touched by

almost everyone who was within an arm's distance of them as they

passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed the hand of one of

the Marines as he passed by her. The applause, whistles and cheering

didn't stop for a long time.

When we were finally airborne, "I" was not the only

civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in "me" getting

home, finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my

hand.  These men had done for all of us and I had been complaining

silently about "me" and "my" issues. I took for granted the everyday

freedoms I enjoy and the conveniences

of the American way of life. I took for granted that others had

paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few

minutes delay to "me" while those Heroes were going home to their

loved ones. I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order and

minutes before we landed, I suggested to the attendant that she

announce over the speaker a request for everyone to remain in their

seats until our heroes were allowed to gather their things and be

first off the plane.

The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine

stepped off and we all rose to go about our too often taken for

granted everyday freedoms ... I felt proud of them. I felt it an

honor and a privilege to be among the first to welcome them home and

say "Thank You for a job well done." I vowed that I will never

forget that flight nor, the lesson learned. I can't say it enough,

THANK YOU to those Veterans and active servicemen and women who may

read this and a prayer