Keep Inconveniences in Perspective

[Mimi]

                  Keep inconveniences in perspective.

This past week I was on a four and a half hour, non-stop flight  from Seattle, Washington, to Atlanta, Georgia.
 
In all my years of traveling, I have learned that each time a plane has the opportunity to stop, there is potential for unexpected challenges.  Flight delays, weather and airline crews can create unanticipated challenges on any trip. Therefore, I always try to fly non-stop between my destinations.

About an hour into this particular flight, the Captain's voice rang over the intercom.  He asked if there was a physician or nurse on the plane.  If so, he asked them to identify themselves by ringing the flight attendant call button beside their seat.

I listened carefully but heard no one ring their bell. I
immediately began to wonder what was happening.
 
In a few minutes the Captain informed us that there was a medical emergency on board and asked again if there was a physician or a nurse who could help.
When there was no response, we were told that we were going to make an emergency stop in Denver, Colorado.  He apologized but told us that there would be a medical emergency team waiting to meet us at the gate and that we would probably only be delayed by about thirty minutes.

Though it was necessary, we knew we would all be
inconvenienced by the extra stop.  About half an hour later, we landed at Denver International Airport and the medical crew immediately came on board. However, everything took longer than had previously been expected.  An elderly gentleman, about 85 years old, had suddenly taken ill.  It was not clear whether he had experienced a stroke or heart attack.

Even after the gentleman was carried off of the plane, we still sat there for quite a while.  The original "short" stop turned into about an hour and a half. When we finally pushed back from the gate and were in the air, the pilot apologized profusely for the unavoidable delay. He said that since the stop had taken longer than expected, those passengers who needed to make connections in  Atlanta would miss their flights but would automatically be booked on the next flight out.

You could almost hear the moans and groans throughout the airplane of everyone who was being inconvenienced by the unexpected stop.

Then the pilot did one of the classiest things I have personally ever seen or heard anyone do.  He spoke into the intercom and said, "Ladies and gentlemen,  I thought you might be interested in one bit of information.  The elderly gentleman who was taken off the plane was a Marine in WWII.

I am holding in my hand a copy of the Congressional Medal of Honor that was awarded to him and signed by President Harry Truman in 1945." The pilot went on to say, "I realize that we have all been inconvenienced today.  However, in light of the fact that this gentleman was a war hero and was inconvenienced for four years of his life in order that we might experience the freedoms that we enjoy today, I thought you all should know that."

Immediately the airplane was filled with applause.  Everyone was cheering and so pleased to know that the gentleman had been cared for in a way that was fitting and appropriate. As we continued to fly, I thought to myself, "Isn't that interesting?  We were concerned that we were inconvenienced for a couple of hours and yet, this gentleman's entire life was interrupted and inconvenienced for over four years while he went and fought in a war to protect the freedoms and values that we l ove and hold dear in this country today."

I breathed a prayer for the gentleman and asked God to bless him for all he had done to help us understand what freedom is all about.

 
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

 
Minorities.....We need to show more sympathy for these people. 

 
* They travel miles in the heat.     
* They risk their lives crossing a border.     
* They don't get paid enough wages.     
* They do jobs that others won't do or are afraid to do.     
* They live in crowded conditions among a people who speak a different language.     
* They rarely see their families, and they face adversity all day every day.

 
I'm not talking about illegal Aliens; I'm talking about our troops!     

 
Doesn't it seem strange that Democrats and Republicans are willing to lavish all kinds of social benefits on illegals, but don't support our troops and are now threatening to defund them?

Mimi





EDITED: Fixed center prompt error - Sluff/ Admin

[willieandwinnie]

Mimi,

You put that beautifully. My husband served 20 years in the United States Navy and served in Vietnam and now Congress is taking back everything that these guys were promised years ago. It makes me sick and ashamed. I have gotten to the point where I believe anyone running for President should of served in the armed forces. I'll get off my soapbox. Great Post.

[Romona]

This gave me chills.


My father and father-in-law were in WWII.
My husband was in the Army and so was my brother.
Several nephews on my husband's side served.
Two nephews are serving now, one in Iraq and one in Alaska.
God Bless our Troops!

[Sluff]

Great Post Mimi. 

[Sunny]

Nice post. My father is a disabled retired marine officer due to a helicopter crash sustained in the service. He managed to put his life back together and have a whole new career after that. But now, his bones and health ache from those injuries sustained so long ago. If they ever dare to take away any of his benefits, I'll have a fit. It breaks my heart to hear about all the problems our injured vets contend with now a day with regards to benefits.

[goofynina]

Mimi, thank you.................for being you    

[paris]

I had a nice experience on a flight last Saturday.  A father was flying with his three children. They were suppose to be in the two seats in front of me, one beside me and one across the aisle with a young man.  He quickly got up when he realized the kids couldn't sit together and then he sat with me opening the two seats together.  He had a big Ohio Buckeye jacket on (sorry OB about the game!), so I asked if he was going to Columbus to watch the game with family. No, he was getting his car to drive back to Camp Legiune,N.C.  I asked what his year was going to be like. He leaves in a couple of months for Iraq. He looked so young and bright eyed. I asked his name "Jimmy Hughes" and shook his hand telling him how proud I was to know him.  We might not like the war, but we love our troops and give them our support.    When we got off the plane, he thanked me for saying that I appreciated his service. He said he doesn't hear it very much.  I will never know where his life takes him, but Jimmy will always be in my prayers.

Thanks for sharing your story, Mimi

[kellyt]

 

[goofynina]

When we got off the plane, he thanked me for saying that I appreciated his service. He said he doesn't hear it very much.  I will never know where his life takes him, but Jimmy will always be in my prayers

Paris, and i am sure you are in his as well.  Sometimes the simplest words can mean the world to a person.  Thank you for being you 

[rookiegirl]

Thank you for sharing this story.  I can't help but cry.

To all who serves/served in the military, I SALUTE YOU!!!! and THANK YOU for keeping me, my family, my friends safe.

[okarol]

 

[glitter]

     

nice posts...make me misty eyed

[bolta72]

 

[thegrammalady]

my father is now 86 and served in wwII. as a child one of my favorite things to do was go to a parade, any parade. we always stood whenever our flag passed by and i remember looking up an seeing tears in my father's eyes. i was quite a bit older before i understood why.   

[paris]

Mimi, this was a great thread. We sometimes need a reminder of how fortunate we are to live in our country. And how much we owe to those who give years of service or their lives so we may enjoy living in freedom.   

[lola]