The Proud The Few! 11 comments | Posted by Emme 34 months ago

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I just got this e-mail and want to share it, the picture is not part of it but related to the subject:

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who 'd been invited to sit in First Class (and was seated across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

No, he responded.

Heading out?? I asked.

No. I'm escorting a soldier home.?

Going to pick him up??

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he did know them after so many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of theUnited States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door [so as to] allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign.


Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American. So here's a public thank-you to our military for doing what you do so we can live the way we do

Stuart Margel, Washington, D.C.

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ramrock Posted on May 18, 2006 at 07:47 PM 6,101 tokens, 1.46 months wasted

I also got that as a E-mail last week,it was sad and brought tears to my eyes!

I had a signature here just a minute ago..............

darn dogs must have chewed it up

We have wet noses and we will lick your face

and we are sissy la-la dogs
(big babies)

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bwjtx Posted on May 18, 2006 at 08:39 PM 1,665 tokens, 5.61 days wasted

What an Outstandind Post ....Thanks so much for sharing and Thanks to all aspects of the American Military !!!

There is No Business Like SHOW BUSINESS........Be Careful what you wish
For......Get Er DONE......Be Thankful for what you have....The only real success
is when you keep trying to not fail ......Give a man the benefit of the doubt
....you never know what the whole picture is .....GOD IS GREAT !

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Monkey Posted on May 19, 2006 at 01:54 AM 9,202 tokens, 3.62 weeks wasted

Its stories like this that really make me realize what assholes most protesters are. Such as the protesters that insist on protesting at a soldiers funeral, and claiming its their right. Thats fine if they want to hide behind the first amendment, but it doesn't make them any less slimey.

388th/419th/75th

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Gatorbait Posted on May 19, 2006 at 04:57 AM 4,255 tokens, 2.9 weeks wasted

Comment in reply to Monkey's original comment

I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

This is an age in which one cannot find common sense without a search warrant.

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alex657684 Posted on May 19, 2006 at 12:45 PM 11,787 tokens, 2.64 weeks wasted

Comment in reply to Monkey's original comment

Amen to that!!!

When I hear about protesters, I get an urge to violently kill them all.

Hey! Hier kommt Alex
Vorhang auf fur seine Horrorshow

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TommyThai Posted on May 19, 2006 at 05:18 AM 74 tokens, 1.48 days wasted

Tommy

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girl4fun Posted on May 19, 2006 at 08:00 AM 179 tokens, 1.37 days wasted

I think this post is amazing - really hits home and gave me shivers....

For consideration, in Canada, our new Prime Minster has just past a ruling that the press is not allowed to be at the site for the arrival of any fallen military persons. There was a huge uproar about this and I am in limbo over this decision.
I am all for honouring these people, as they honoured each and everyone of us simply by taking part in a war to protect millions of people they had never met. These people deserve our respect, our honour, our love and admiration - but, in the same breath, do their families need the attention from the media as well???


(Please note that I am not trying to take away from a fallen soldier, or the respect required - I am curious about the opinions you have about media coverage??? Thanks)

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Emme Posted on May 19, 2006 at 08:51 AM 873 tokens, 2.6 days wasted

Comment in reply to girl4fun's original comment

Well said. I for one think the media should mention each and every fallen souldier and show his/her photo. But I do not think they should bother the families or film the funeral services.

Speaking My Mind - Emme ;-)
http://360.yahoo.com/emme515
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but Hope looks up.

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girl4fun Posted on May 19, 2006 at 09:19 AM 179 tokens, 1.37 days wasted

Comment in reply to Emme's original comment

My thoughts exactly - the soldier, their life and their sacrifice MUST be honoured and discussed. Grieving families and friends should be left to comfort each other - you know, the normal events that occur when someone passes.

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SoR_AWC Posted on May 19, 2006 at 10:26 AM 7,309 tokens, 1.03 months wasted

Comment in reply to girl4fun's original comment

I enjoyed the last news coverage I saw.
A religeous group was picketing a soldiers funeral and they could not be seen.. them or their signs because they were screened from the road by VFW members and Bikers with Flags.

If a few more of us kicked some ass we could clean up the gene pool

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alex657684 Posted on May 19, 2006 at 12:44 PM 11,787 tokens, 2.64 weeks wasted

stories like this sometimes get me all worked up again.......thankfully all the wounded in our company survived though.

i could never escort a body home, or notify the family. i just wouldn't be able to handle it. i get too emotional just by reading or hearing about it.

Hey! Hier kommt Alex
Vorhang auf fur seine Horrorshow

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