January 13, 2007
A Simple Round Of Applause
Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, Gate D-18, approximately 9:00 AM, the crowds were fairly thick all waiting to either depart or just arriving. I was sitting in a chair reading a novel, waiting for our flight to be called.
In the background I heard someone clap, then another, and another, and another. Looking around I noticed that people were stopping what they were doing, putting their luggage down, laying their packages aside and clapping. Above, on the walkway strode heroes, returnee's from Iraq, dressed in their desert camoflage and sand colored boots. Black soldiers, white ones, red and brown ones, yellow ones. Male and female soldiers, tall and short, heavy and thin but all in uniform, all with either faces strong in determination or smiling at the prospect of seeing family again.
There must have been over 100 of them as they marched by. The applause grew and grew, till everyone in sight, men and women, boys and girls were applauding the returning soldiers. Most of us stood, some, in wheelchairs could not, but you could see that in their hearts they were standing. And the troops continued to file out, down the walkway, through the crowds. Last November the Democrats convinced a majority of Americans that the war in Iraq was not a good thing, but today, in DFW Americans of all types, of all political beliefs, of all voting persuasions applauded the true heroes, the soldiers who represent the finest that America is, and will always be.
A simple round of applause, but one that meant so much!
Posted by GM Roper at January 13, 2007 08:50 PM | TrackBackI've seen the same thing in the Atlanta airport. It's more encouraging for the troops to hear applause than people telling them that they can't win. Thanks for sharing that.
Posted by Woody at January 13, 2007 09:15 PM
Hubby's dad was in Nam and has since passed over to God, but when people shake my husband's hand or say 'thank you', it startles him. He still remembers how his father was treated when he came home. Thank God the American people still in the majority appreciate what they do - voluntarily.
Posted by Jo at January 14, 2007 05:35 AM
How wonderful! If I'd seen such a display for our troops, I'd have burst into tears.
Would that all our returning troops received such support at every airport--and elsewhere too!
Posted by Always On Watch at January 14, 2007 10:30 AM
There is a commercial by Bud that has a seen like that, and when I first saw it, it brought tears to my eyes. This is what it means to support our troops. My step-dad was in Vietnam, and one of the things that still bugs him is how he never received that kind of response. It wasn't that he wanted it for ego reasons, he just wanted to be appreciated for putting his life on the line for his nation. He was a door-gunner, and it wasn't until last October that someone aside from family thanked him for his service. A writer, an orphan from Vietnam that fled in 1975, autographed a book to him, saying:"Glad you made it home. Thank you for your sacrifice." It was only the second time in my life I ever saw my dad cry.
Posted by Douglas V. Gibbs at January 14, 2007 10:44 AM
Why doesn`t the Media ever show us this?
You make an excellent point, GM; the U.S. military, while loathed by those who promote ``diversity`` have done more to actually bring Americans of every race, creed, and status together as one. They are the true multiculturalists; they see their soldiers as green, not black, white, red, or yellow.
Posted by Tim Birdnow at January 14, 2007 03:38 PM
As a vet of Vietnam I'm glad to see the American people show their appreciation for the soldiers service.
The news media won't show it because they are as guilty as the politicians for the death of millions as a result of their previous cut and run. To show approval today would be to admit their guilt and they just might be ashamed to continue their persuit of another loss and several million more deaths. The media types will always be guilty of being anti-amerian and deserve no respect from anyone. Even the liberal dhimmi's don't trust or respect the media, they just use it for their own purposes.
Posted by Scrapiron at January 14, 2007 05:34 PM
Thats wonderful GM! Many people do support the troops and their efforts. I believe more people are in support than are not...somehow the media has twisted this. I bet you felt mighty proud to be in the presence of such warriors, I know I would be!
Posted by Raven at January 15, 2007 05:46 AM
Makes me proud to be a Texan. They are heroes. Even the Marines sitting in prison in California. I applaud them, too. Great story. DD
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Posted by Darvin Dowdy at January 15, 2007 08:14 AM
I think that some of you on the right feel that we don't support our troops and I'm here to disabuse you of that notion. Our troops are under the gun everyday in a situation that is currently no win. Iraq is not standing up to the plate to take over their responsibilities. The US is not able to do what is neccessary. Because no mater how you put the spin on dropping a daisy cutter on a populated area to end insurgent actions you will not be able take away the fact that someone with a microphone will be outraged and paint you as the evil empire.
It is high time that we stop being the Janissary Force of the House of Saud and let them work it out. We could end their stranglehold on this country by investing in bio fuels and alternative energy.
I support the troops by doing things that actively get them out of this terrible situation. I've personally thanked them for doing their best. I've written conservatives and liberals and demanded answers why we have to hold bake sales to buy them body armor.
I'm proud of our soldiers! They are doing the best they can with tools they have been given. But it is high time that we make all of those senators and congressmen on both sides of the aisle answer to us for their actions in denying support to our soldiers. It is time we make the Commander in Chief answer to us, his boss, for gross incompetence in handling the war.
It is good that we aren't spitting on soldiers because that is uncalled for. I am proud that my fellow citizens applauded those soldiers. But I also feel that dissent is the highest form of patriotism. I think that holding our leaders responsible for this debacle is far more appropriate.
Posted by psyberwolfe at January 15, 2007 10:25 PM
