Showing We Appreciate Our Troops

This was in Sgt. Grit’s

…”I must tell you a story that just happened to me. I was in Shannon airport on May 21st, early afternoon, waiting for a flight to U.S. As often happens in Shannon a U.S. Troop Transport plane came in – full of Marines this time – and off they came. I have seen U.S. Troops there so often – it is the refueling spot on their trips in and out of Kuwait. I have been there and seen those young men walk up to the bar and order a pint and have seen men – U.S. and other citizens, and women, too, walk over and say – No U.S. solder pays for a drink here – there are enough of us in this airport to buy them a pint – and they do. I have rarely seen a soldier remove money from his pocket. As they get off the plane and walk in and it happens all the time – the entire waiting room area in the airport stands up and claps. The first time I saw it I melted in tears as I clapped – and I have melted again each time.

Those young men whether coming in from Iraq or wherever or going to Iraq are always moved and sincerely appreciative of the support. As I was sitting there watching them I noticed several of them going up to the Eircom (the Irish version of Ma Bell) boxes trying to make calls home to the states and I sat there with our Irish phone with about 25 Euro still left on it – and so I walked over and handed it to the young Marine and said – here – call your momma. He looked stunned and then thanked me and did call his momma. He finished and I checked the time left on the phone – 23 Euro – I said, just take it and pass it to your friends til it runs out. Jim and I were sitting there in tears – but knew that those 25 Euro were well worth the price to think someone’s momma or wife would hear from her son again. Another man asked what I was doing and Jim told him and he was an Irish citizen and he whipped out his cell and handed it to another Marine. By the time our phone ran out of Euro there were about 15 phones being passed around.

As wewere boarding our flight for the states another troop transport was unloading and they were Air Force men. They, too, got the standing ovation and someone started handing them their cell phones. It was just a very emotional experience for us and for everyone there. It made me proud, once again, to be an American to see the reaction of the U. S. Citizens, the Irish and the many other nationalities there in the airport. I think the press downplays the support, love and loyalty that we all feel toward our military.
Becky Kent “

Wild Thing’s comment……..
I love things like this to happen so much. It just makes my heart feel like bursting.

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….Thank you Mark.