A sobering experience

I was recently on an airplane for a business trip to our South Boston, Va. plant. I had to fly into the Raleigh/Durham airport. I was down the terminal a ways when I heard a large round of applause at my gate. I hurried there, thinking they were applauding for me to get on the plane, naturally...just kidding) and got there just just in time to see a bunch of army soldiers getting onto our airplane. They were preboarding these soldiers. (I was in Minneapolis on the way to Raleigh) I thought that was really nice of all the people...to honor our soldiers that way and not really knowing anything more about it.

When I got on the plane I sat next to a women soldier....Sgt. Jordon was her name. She was very polite and had a very thick North Carolinan accent. You could tell she was from the South. I introduced myself and said hi, and where was she and the other soldiers going. She very matter of factly said they were all coming back from a stint in Baghdad. I said really? She explained her job to me and she was responsible for blowing up ordinance and had to do a lot of driving around that area. I asked a few more questions but felt she really didn't want to talk that much. She told me she was in the Army Reserves from Ft. Bragg and they had been deployed for a year and she was so excited to get home to see her family. She was from North Carolina somewhere. I asked her how it went for her over there and she said "Great!" She said it wasn't that bad and she really loved what she had been doing but was very glad to be getting back home. I quit bugging her and just told her thanks for her service and she said "Yes, Sir" Your're Welcome" She addressed me as "Sir" all the time. She ordered a drink and I offered to buy it for her, but before I could get my money out the steward said it was on him for her today.

We didn't say much more in the two hour flight as she just seemed to want to soak in the fact she was finally coming home. As we landed she was intently staring out the window and I said, "I bet that looks good to you!!" It is very green and lush in NC and she said it did and it was so much greener here than in Baghdad. She said "I just love it here."

I deplaned and they were holding the soldiers at the door of the jetway as I left. I went on out but stopped to see what they were going to do. There were many excited people waiting at the gate for these soldiers to deplane with signs and ballons and the like. (Wives, moms and dads, friends, etc.) I stood off to the side and then the gate attendant announced, "Ladies and Gentlement, please welcome home our soldiers from Iraq" They all came out (about 8 of them) and there was this thunderous applause as people ran up to them, hugged them. Sgt Jordon had a big back pack on as she came off and she had put a small American flag in it so it was waving as she and the others came off the plane. I thought as I observed this whole scene that it was much like coming home from a mission having not seen your son or daughter for two years. This deployment had only been for a year and of course a much more dangerous situation but I could somewhat relate to how their families were feeling. Many tears were flowing and this applause lasted for a good 3-4 3 minutes. All the soldiers kind of looked stunned like what do we do now? I have to admit I had a tear or two in my eyes and a big lump in my throat as I saw these wonderful young people welcomed home. None of them was much older than my own sons and it just really hit me how proud I was of their sacrifice and that of their families. I thought "Where do we get such young people who are willing to give their ultimate in defense of their country" I marvel at that.

I watched this for a couple of minutes more, proud to be an American and so thankful and proud that there are such young people who do this very difficult task in a dreadful situation. I thought how wonderful their reunion is with their loved ones and I said a little prayer for each one of them that they would be able to return to normal life after such a stressful year.

I am so grateful for our country and what it stands for. Say what you will about whether going into Iraq was the right thing to do, but never tell me that these soldiers are anything but loyal, patriotic and brave Americans doing what they have been asked to do. From just my little talk with Sgt Jordon I could just tell how much she loved this country, loved her service in the Army and the gratitude she felt toward being able to serve when and where she was asked. She had no doubt that she was involved in a noble cause and that the Iraqi people were grateful, no matter what you hear on the news.

This indeed was an experience I won't soon forget.

Dad

Ad Bad Boy

We just Addie off and he is on his way back to Provo. We will definitely miss having Addie around. Besides being my right hand man for the last month. (he calls it free labor), Adam has been a real source of delight while he has been here.

Here is a man who has been hacked on more than the Texas Chainsaw murders and he has
not once let on how discouraged he might be. I think this is partly due to his nature which is to be an upbeat person in his life. But just as much is I think he has an amazing ability to see the bright side of things and be happy with the cards he is dealt. The ultimate man who gets a lemon and makes lemonade out of it. I love that about Addie and have to say his being here has given me a spirtual boost that I greatly appreciate.

He taught a class on the atonement for me as WML and I have to say it was very, very powerful. He has great insight into the Gospel. He also went home teaching with me and uplifted my family and myself with his message.

We are all lucky to be have this young man to lean on when you want a boost in your spirit. He is just fun to be around and makes me a better person for being with him.

I know he probably is a tad tired of being home, but it brought back so many memories when we were all together that I just had to tell you all. I love our family and being around all of you is one of the joys of my life.

We have so much going on and you all are involved in your own lives and issues but I want you to know that my relationship with each of you is an anchor in my life.

Having Adam home has just reinforced something I already knew but need to think about a lot.

Why some young lady has not seen fit to fall in love with Addie is a mystery to me. He will make one fine husband, father and friend. Where is that young lady and what is she thinking?

I gave him my standard advice which he promply ignored. Date a lot, have a lot of fun, play hard to get, etc. It will happen...just not sure when.

We are all lucky to have such a fine man in the fam and I am so proud to call Addie my son and my friend.

Dad