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I met a soldier...

justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
Last week I was flying back home from Washington...changing planes in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Just behind me in line was a very young looking soldier...had on his patch something about U.S. *** Airborne. I offered my spot in line, he declined. I asked him if he was returning home. "Yes, from Afghanistan," he said. "I'm on leave for my sister's wedding."

I asked, "How long?"

"Just a few days, I'll return to Afghanistan next week," he nodded.

"Well, I just wanted to say, 'thank you' for your service to our country," I said.

"No problem sir, its my job," he replied.

He then told me of his excitement to get back home...not far from my home. These days he cherished. He was not sad, he was happy. He was not angry, he was determined. He is a hero in my world, far more courageous than I can imagine. I thanked him again.

Its a simple story. But it made me think. It made me think about his youthfulness...his optimism...his character. It made me think about his sister and his parents...how much they must worry day-after-day but how happy they would be in a few hours. I last saw him at baggage claim...some 2 days after he began his journey home, looking as awake, alert, happy and cheerful as ever. I don't know his name nor his background, but I'll remember him for a LONG time.

How about you? No matter your political lean, got a good story about meeting one of our country's finest? This young man sure made me proud. How about you?
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T theEH1,000+ posts
Justbaseball, There my Heroes.

My Son and I were coming back from the 2006 World Showcase in Ft. Myer's Fla. in Jan.

Had a stop over in Atlanta, was taking the shuttle train.
And Son is poking me to look to my left as we left the Train.
There boarding the shuttle was a 5 star General with his military bodyguards.
You don't see that everyday.
Also at the same stop over, Met a just retired Special Forces
Sargent. Very nice person.
We owe a great deal of gratitued to these fine young men and women, Who put themself's in harm's way.
So we need to Thank them everyday.
And take care of them when they return.
God Bless them Everyone. EH
shortstopmomshortstopmom1,000+ posts
Tears,....
proud and happy grateful tears
from an Army wife and an Air Force mom.

Thank you for acknowledging our service men and woman. I sincerely thank you.

It lightens my heavy heart to know that while my husband and son are sometimes far away, someone out there passing by, might take the time to stop them and talk to them for a few minutes, or simply send them a smile.

When I cannot be there for them,....my fellow Americans are,..and for that this mom and wife will be forever grateful.

Thank you sincerely from my heart.
Last edited by shortstopmom
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
Between the kind, warm and captivating story from justbb and the emotional, powerful response of shortstopmom, I am, literally, without words.
Those two posts, for me at least, create a vivid and treasured Norman Rockwell type image, of the way life can/should be in America.
shortstopmom, many thanks to you for opening your heart and giving us a glimpse, a very powerful one, into your life and life within your family.
For me, at least, this is the thread of this year and probably every other.
Last edited by infielddad
FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
Thanks for sharing that story JB. When I see a military person I have the same thoughts as you but I don’t say anything. Maybe now I will. My oldest son is in his final staging area with the National Guard to deploy overseas to Iraq. There are no doubts in his mind or in my mind. He NEEDS to go, he WANTS to go, and I EXPECT him to go.
Fungo
T Traveldad100+ posts
Fungo, Our prayers for your son for a safe deployment.
My dad is a recently retired Chief Master Sergeant and it pains him to see all "his boys" leave overseas without him, but relishes the calls and invites to return to the base for beers when they come home.

My son and I were at a tournament in July and a young man in uniform was dining with a friend. I asked, thankfully they let us take their tab.

Godspeed to all our brave men and women
P puma1500+ posts
I too had the pleasure of meeting one of these fine young soldiers. I had tears in my eyes as I thanked him for what he does for us so that we may enjoy the life that we do. He said, "No problem...it's my job." I met him in the restaurant I supervise, and tried to buy him lunch, but he would not accept. He was here for training and was returning to Iraq in January. His job was to "sniff out bombs". Wow!
shortstopmomshortstopmom1,000+ posts
As I stood on the basic graduation parade field this summer, there were young men and woman standing in formation as far as I could see. It was a mass of crisp blue uniforms and young duty dedicated faces lined up in perfect unison.

The American flag flying up above.

It was a moment,..one of those short treasured, "I get it God, I promise not to forget " moments.

Young,...so many, very young fresh faces.
I did my best to concentrate and watch every single airman as he/she marched by, wondering where they were from, and where would they be going? Who was their family, what was their own personal story? Do they know that my heart goes out to each and every one of them?

These outstanding young people were here not because someone ordered them to be, but simply because they had made a decision.

" Do they not know we are at WAR ??? ", my inner motherly voice screamed loud inside my head???

They do,..they all do,
yet there they still stand.

To watch my husband go off to war is one thing, to watch my 18 year old son and his young peers go, is another.


I am enormously proud, I am hella' scared, I am forever greatful.

~ I pray for peace ~



Now will somebody pleeeease hand me a baseball?
Last edited by shortstopmom
C Coachric1,000+ posts
Baseball is such a great game, the American game. The game we get to play Freely because of all the men who served before us.

I was in a McDonalds near Camp Lejuene, N.C. on my way north. After I ordered, about 15 young to middle aged soldiers came in wearing their desert fatigues and Airborne patches. I told the manager to give me their total. One sargeant answered, thank you sir, but there are about 15 more of us coming in. A guy behind me said, they are probably just working at the nearby base, so whats the big deal.
I told the sgt. to get everybody's order together, and I would be honored to pay. He thanked me after I insisted quite a few times.
I went over as they began to eat and I said, whether you are going overseas or not, wherever you are next, I would just want you to remember that Americans all over are thinking about you and praying for you everyday, and we only get to say thank you once in a while.
These guys each got up and shook my hand. They then told me most of them had been in Afganistan and were deploying to Irag soon. 1 said to me, we are not heroes, but we left a few over there on the battlefield. I almost fell apart.
Military parents and family, you and yours are in my prayers and Godspeed.
CM Coach May1,000+ posts
I come from a military family. My dad , God rest his soul was a retired Command Sergeant Major US Army. He fought in Korea and Vietnam. My three brothers and I were all born in different states and were raised all over the world. All three of my brothers joined the Army my oldest is retired from the Army. I was the only one not to join. I went to college. Many times they have told me how proud of me they were that I went to college and played sports. Many times I have told them thay I was way more proud of them and I actually felt guilty that I did not serve. There is nothing more honerable than serving this great country. Everytime I go to a ball game and hear that song played I get tears in my eyes and goose bumps. I think about all the young men and women over seas and all those that never returned. And I think about the fact that we are here playing a game and we owe everything to those that have paid the price for freedom. Fungo I bet your oldest son is so proud of his younger brother and all he has accomplished on the baseball field and he should be. But I would be willing to bet that your youngest is just as proud of his older brother. Thanks boys for all you have done and all you are willing to do for our country.
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
In March I attended the funeral of a very good and cherished friend.
During his lifetime, he occasionally described that he attended the Naval Academy, played football and even played in the Cotton Bowl. Also, would occasionally mention that after graduation, he became a fighter pilot and served in Viet Nam.
At the funeral, attended by nearly every living teammate from Navy, I learned he was the famous lonesome end, that he was once the NCAA player of the week for his contributions when Navy upset the #1 rated Pitt Panthers, that he was also an All American Lacrosse player and is still recognized as one of the very best multi-sport athletes in the history of the Academy.
I also learned that he did become a fighter pilot. In fact, he won the "Top Gun" award which is now so famous. He was awarded the very first "Top Gun" award and it was on display. Also learned this very good friend didn't just serve, he flew 100's of combat missions as a squadron commander and leader in Viet Nam.
I learned my very good friend was a great athlete, but a more dedicated, courageous and decorated Navy pilot. I learned that he excelled in everything he did during the period he unselfishly served his country. I learned that perhaps his greatest attributes were his unselfishness, and his humility. I am so glad he was/is my friend.
Last edited by infielddad
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
JBB,
Great post!

I have flown into Atlanta to head to Clemson many times. There are literally hundreds of service men/woman who pass through there everyday. As you go up the escalator to ground floor level there is always a large group of people there to welcome them. I have seen this the many times I have flown in the past two years. I think it's just great. They deserve only the best.
Smile
Last edited by TPM
A allaboutbaseball100+ posts
As I have mentioned before I am an 8th grade teacher. I have two students whose moms are serving in the military in Iraq. Everyday I see the sacrifice that they have made to help keep our country safe. They miss their sons football games, them growing into fine young men. Their sons miss them but both seem to have a clear understanding of their moms purpose and carry themselves a bit taller for thepride in which their mothers have instilled in them. I in turn feel such gratitude to all the moms and dads who are serving or have children serving. To the husbands and wives that have stayed back raising the family alone while their spouses are off defending our nation I extend my heart and hand in gratitude to both those away and those left back home.

It truly puts into focus what is important in life
biggerpapibiggerpapi5,000+ posts
On the Saturday after 9/11 we flew from Chicago to Orlando. This was the first full day of flying after 9/11 and we had about 25 people on a full-sized jet.

On our return trip, I met a soldier in the Orlando Airport magazine stand. I've never just walked up to a stranger and talked like this but I had to know if he was going overseas.

At that time he said he was just on his way to Basic Training. Knowing what we know today, I assume he made it to Iraq. I don't know his name but I'm very thankful for him and those with whom he serves.

I tell my baseball team every year that it is because of our Armed Forces that we are able to go out and play baseball every day. It's so easy to take our freedom for granted.

I thank God we have a strong President and a military that keeps us safe.
AcademyDadAcademyDad500+ posts
No tear jerking stories yet, and hope there won't won't be any soon. My oldest son is Capt of the Baseball team at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. His younger brother is in the battle of his life to secure the starting SS position as a Plebe at Annapolis. They play each other next Feb 23-25 in Millington, TN in a 3 game series. I hope they never have to go to battle together, but I know that given the assignment, they will...

One story I do love to share, is if you ever get to watch the AFA team play, they have a little ritual before gametime. They line up in formation on the field for the Nat'l Anthem. They do not remove their hats (covers), but they do salute... for it is considered their "uniform of the day". It brings tears to the eyes of even the toughest. They are America's finest kids.

People ask me which T Shirt I will wear next Feb. at the game? Only one choice....

BEAT ARMY !!!

Blue skies and calm seas to all of you... and God bless our kids in uniform!

AcademyDAD

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