My pastor was on a Southwest flight to Dallas from Sacramento with a plane load of LIVE military, and he could feel the tension and fear these folks gave out. There were many attributes he saw. So be very thankful for these troops going to the bad-lands and praise the ones that did the ultimate. I know, I was in 'Nam. Bob BOB FLETCHER US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS MILITARY DESIGN SECTION 10th FLOOR S.W. SACRAMENTO DISTRICT 1325 J STREET, SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA, 95814-2922 Phone (916) 557-7235 Subject: Fwd: Fw: Wouldn't you have liked to be on that plane..... Subject: Wouldn't you have liked to be on that plane............. >This email is from Andy Nelson, an employee with Doster Construction in >Montgomery, AL. > > >I want to tell you of an experience I had last night flying home from >Atlanta. > >The pilot came on the intercom and went through the usual announcements >telling us that "we're just east of Montgomery cruising at 28,000 feet" >and "you've picked a beautiful night for flying, just look at the >gorgeous southern sunset out of the right side of the plane". > >He then,however, said this: "Please bear with me as I deviate from the >script, >but I want you all to know that simply by coincidence you have been >granted both the privilege and honor of escorting the body of Army PFC >Howard Johnson, Jr. home tonight. PFC Johnson was killed in Iraq >defending the freedoms we all enjoy, and fighting to extend those >freedoms to the people of Iraq. We are also accompanied by PFC Johnson's >cousin, Marine Major Talley, who has been chosen by the family to escort >PFC Johnson home. Semper Fi!" > >The plane quickly became very quiet, but soon erupted in thunderous >applause that lasted for several minutes. It was quite moving, to say >the least. > >As I sat there thinking about what the pilot had said, and >visualizing PFC Johnson's dead body riding below me in the belly of that >plane, I noticed a couple of things. Two rows in front of me sat a >father holding his daughter, an infant, and they were practicing "ma-ma" >and in the row behind me was another young boy, probably 2 or so, >learning to count to 10. Now obviously both are too young to realize >we're at war, or that one of our dead was with us, but it made me think, >and this is the point: > >These warriors, mostly young, all volunteers, everyday are >prepared to give their lives for our future, for a safer, more secure >future for people they don't even know, all based on the principle that >fighting and dying for this country is worth it. You all know and agree >with this, but not everyone does, so I would ask that if you meet anyone >that's not "on board" with this philosophy, i.e. the protesters to which >Bob refers, that you "correct the situation". > >By the way, the flight ended with all of us deplaning only to line the >windows of the gate house to watch PFC Johnson's body, draped in the >American flag, be rolled out of the plane and into a waiting hearse that >was surrounded by his family members. > >Please pray that our soldiers' sight is acute, their aim is true, and >that as many come home as God can spare. > > >Andy Nelson >746 Adams Avenue >Montgomery, Alabama 36104 > >Phone 334-834-3767 >Fax 334-265-3804 Ruth ruthinfla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Karen Sue FerDon <http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/07.gif> Madison, Florida karenferdon@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:karenferdon@xxxxxxxxx> _____ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com <http://www.yahoo.com>
