Just what is patriotism anyway? Well, I can show you one small example right here. Of course there are a million other examples, but the leftards would never understand. The new P.C. saying "I support our troops, but I don't support the war" does not count. That is not patriotism, that is bullshit. Please follow this link to see for yourself what some folks in Bangor, Maine do for the troops coming and going from their Airport. I have heard that the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area does the same thing. I know that countless other communities across our great country do the same thing, or at least I fervently hope so. Here is a peek at the article:
She and the other 40 or so members of the Maine Troop Greeters have made it their mission to welcome every incoming and outbound flight of soldiers and Marines who use Bangor International Airport as a refueling stop.
No matter what time of day or night, there will always be applause, handshakes and hugs to make the troops feel appreciated.
When a handshake won't do, some military men and women will reach out and just hug the person who came by to welcome them home.
Meeting the troops also tugs at the emotions of the greeters. "It's a good feeling," Guptill says. "Some days it's a tear-jerker."
After about an hour and a half on the ground, it's time for an outbound flight to take off and head to a war zone.
The greeters line up again to wish the soldiers well as they head up the ramp to the plane, thanking them for their service.
Guptill says if the war ended tomorrow it would be fine with them, but adds, "We'll do this until this thing ends."
I wish I lived closer, because you can bet your ass that I'd be right there with these OUTSTANDING CITIZENS, putting their money where their mouth is, so to speak. When the first gulf war was winding down, we in my hometown greeted every single vet coming home at the local VFW. There was absolutely no way we Vietnam and Korean vets were going to let happen to our younger brothers what happened to us. A few years ago, our local National Guard armory was tapped to send over more than 100 of our local citizens. You would be PROUD of the homecoming they got. If and when we get more local people coming home or going to the war zones, WE WILL be there for them! You can take that to the bank!
Oh, I almost forgot. We have a local hero that just went over to Iraq. He wrote back to the local newspaper that many in his unit didn't receive any mail, would our citizens like to "adopt" them and send letters? His entire unit now gets all the mail they can handle. As a vet, I can tell you that this is one of the most appreciated things you can do. Write to our brave troops and just let them know that someone back here actually gives a shit about them and what they do!! It will certainly make their day brighter, AND it will make your day better too! Talk about WIN/WIN! You don't know where to send a letter? Drop by your local American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars and ask, or use google to find a hundred units dying to get letters and "care packages", if you REALLY want to make someones day!!!
If I did this right, you should be able to scroll down and find a YouTube clip of my favorite John Michael Montgomery song. It is by far the best rendition you will find anywhere. I don't care how Macho you may think you are. If you really listen to the words and watch the video, you WILL get watery eyes. Do not come back and say I didn't warn you!
12 comments:
Wow, I'm ready to sign up to be a greeter at LAX or Burbank Airport.
No one does patriotism like you Americans. I guess that is because few understand the price of freedom and liberty quite like you Americans.
I've never met a Vietnam Vet I didn't thank for his or her service...Thank YOU, AA.
MK's right....nobody does patriotism like us. I wonder if obama knows how.
PCC, it made me feel really good to welcome those guys home. I got at least as much out of it as they did.
MK, thank you, and I think you may have just nailed it!
Z, MK is an Australian and he has more patriotic feelings for America in his little finger than NObama has in his whole body. That asshole couldn't even bother putting his hand over his heart for the National Anthem. Oh, and thanks for the thanks!
AA,
I am not surprised by your zeal for welcoming home our brother vets. We have a community service project at our school and one feature is a Support Our Troops. I signed up for that one because it was near and dear to my heart. I'll make sure the kids get the message. I agree we can't let a vet have to go through an American airport ever again being afraid to wear their uniform. That was one too many times.
AA, I'm sure the troops appreciate the welcome home...stay well...
Good post, aa. No soldier should ever feel unappreciated.
So, now that you have a president that is not to your taste...let me ask the question you asked of all those folks for years (you know the one...you cannot support the troops without supporting the president/the war) So, how can you claim to be so supportive of your country when you despise a President that was elected by more than 50% of the citizens of the country you love so much?
L&OTeacher, I commend you for participating in your local "support our troops" program, and I especially appreciate you teaching your pupils what patriotism is.
Tapline, believe me when I say as much as they do appreciate it, we that meet and greet them get more out of it than they do. There can be no price tag for the personal satisfaction that comes with it. A win-win situation for sure.
Wordsmith, you got that right my friend, you got that 100% right, and they won't if I have any say in the matter!
Tao, you are correct in that I have some VERY SERIOUS RESERVATIONS about who "won" the election. That is NOT the same as disrespecting the Office of the Presidency, which I most certainly do not. Our government system surely does have it's flaws, but it is still the best that mankind has invented to date. The short story is this: I 100% support and respect the Office of the Presidency, but the opposite is true as concerns the person who will be sitting in that office. There is a HUGE difference!
Regarding "I support our troops, but I don't support the war" does not count. That is not patriotism, that is bullshit." is a popular opinion. But keep in mind a number of generals who spoke out, as did I prior to and after the invasion. It seems reasonable to question policy and still support the troops...like you, I was one.
That is a GREAT idea and a GREAT story!
BZ
BB, there is a big difference between questioning policy and out and out protesting in the streets. I still maintain that if a person doesn't support WHAT the troops are doing, then they don't really support them at all. Oh sure, they pay the lip service, but that is more to make themselves feel good than any thing else.
BZ, thank you. Those greeters really do put their hearts and souls into it. I don't think they have missed a single flight since they started, and the really amazing thing is that they have never even met these troops. It's no wonder our young men and women are so overcome by the experience.
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