Airport memories.

2014-10-27T23:14:07-04:00

Sometime back I spent some time in an eatery at Seattle/Tacoma airport, leisurely consuming my lox+cream cheese bagel and pint of Alaska Amber when 4 MPs arrived to occupy the space next to mine (we were at small tables along a long wall seat). The one nearest me politely greeted me, finishing his sentence with “, sir.”

I smiled and said “I was an E-5 when I got out, so best not call me ‘sir’. You guys coming or going?” They were coming (home from Afghanistan).

We exchanged occasional pleasantries. At one point I offered the opinion that, given a choice between being rejuvenated and sent to Afghanistan, or put in a time machine and doing another tour in Viet-Nam, it would be RVN hands down. They were surprised; they were generally of the opinion that we had the worse deal.

Shortly before I finished the repast and headed to the gate, a random stranger came up to shake their hands and thank them for their service.

This brought back memories: in 1971, in this very airport, traveling home in my Class-A uniform after my release from active duty, I received a significantly less friendly reception.

You win some, you lose some.

I wished them well. They will need it.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 3 at 2014 1:06 AM

2014-11-03T01:06:22-05:00

Welcome Home, Brother! You had me in tears just reading this story.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Nov 3 at 2014 1:37 AM

2014-11-03T01:37:00-05:00

Back in the day (I was probably 10 or 11), in a small town in North Dakota, a resident came home from the war over there. Cruising around on our bikes, we'd see him walking around town in his green camo coat. The adults said he was a helo pilot who got shot down in his bird, then two more times that same day on Med Evac birds. They treated him like a leper ("You boys leave that poor man alone."). I never understood why.

You guys were treated with disrespect and hostility. I can't apologize to that man back in '73, but I can say that my family honors your service (and his, where ever he is today).

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made Nov 3 at 2014 11:39 AM

2014-11-03T11:39:00-05:00

Welcome home, Mike. I rem in 1973, going through O'Hare in my dress uniform and going into a bar during the layover. I sat down and before I could order, the bartender poured me a beer and said, "No charge, Sarge.." I couldn't believe it. I was both honored and humbled at the same time. I'd already been laughed at and sneered at by civilians my own age and having this random guy make this gesture made my day. I still get VN era vets send me resumes without their military affiliation, skills, etc.... I get it... and we're making a conscience effort to see that it doesn't happen again.

Response by SFC Benjamin Parsons made Nov 3 at 2014 1:32 PM

2014-11-03T13:32:49-05:00

In uniform at JFK layover coming home for leave from Germany.
Sitting at kiosk style bar having a beer. 40ish Man in clean working style cowboy garb approached with a story about how he needed $3 to call his brother to wire him some money. He'd pay me back when it arrived.
To this day I don't know why I was a soft touch, but inspite of my doubts, I caved and went back to my beer.
About an hour later I was paying for another beer when from behind I hear, "Your money's no good here Sarge." Same fellow slapped money down on the bar for my beer - other hand gave me back my $3. I have utterly forgotten our conversation, but not the subsequent lunch and yet a final beer he bought for me.
I reflect on that event from time to time. Remains kind of a bright spot in my life.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 5:53 PM

2014-11-03T17:53:13-05:00

SP5 Michael Rathbun, outstanding. I am a Vietnam story junky. Please, offer more insights, when possible!

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Nov 3 at 2014 6:03 PM

2014-11-03T18:03:44-05:00

Anytime that I have been in an airport I have thanked everyone in uniform for their service. I have brought lunch or dinner several times for servicemen at restaurants. I have offered my First Class seat (only get that upgrade seldom) to a servicemen that declined the offer.

I was talking to my brother a while back (MAJ US Army) and asked him if in his 12 years if anyone ever thanked him for his service and he said he never thought about it, but no. I thought about it myself and no one ever said it to me in my six years. No, I'm not looking for thanks from everyone on here. My point is that at least some things are changing for the better. Every time that I do one of these nice things for servicemen I can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, some day in the distant future when it is my son returning from deployment and feeling tired, worn out and down, that someone will offer a simple thanks or a kind gesture and let him know that his sacrifice is appreciated. There are those out there that understand what so many have given up and I am proud of each and every one of them.