Patriotism at 3:00AM

I'm finally on my way via charter flight enroute to Kuwait. Along the way we stopped in Bangor, Maine for a fueling top-off before crossing the Atlantic and I'm able to take advantage of the internet in the terminal to get one last entry in before I leave the United States. This will be a quick entry but I want to tell one story about my experience here in Maine.

We were all required to deplane during our quick layover. As we walked down a long corridor into the main terminal, there was a line of about 10 people, mostly men with ballcaps that said, "Korean War Veteran" or "Vietnam Veteran" or even "World War II Veteran" just standing there to shake our hands and welcome us to Bangor. They were here to greet us, as they greet every planeload of servicemen and women, even at 3:30 in the morning. Kinda got me choked up a little. It is certainly a small jesture on their part, but the impact, at least on me, was quite large. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan might not directly affect every American as other wars in our country's past, but whatever their political leanings, whatever their views about this particular war, the Maine Troop Greeters were here to let us know that ordinary citizens are greatful for the service of those of us heading out into harm's way.

It sure is a nice send off.

Cheers, Pearl