SAAAAALUTE!
I’m currently in the middle of my 1,298th business trip of the year. I’m in Nashville attending a trade show and polishing up my Buck Owens impression.
On average, I take about 45 round trip flights a year. Many times, when I board an airplane, I’m completely exhausted and hoping for a chance to close my eyes, even if it’s only for a few brief moments. Apparently, when I’m in this condition I give off vibes that say “Please engage me in non-stop, unrelenting, meaningless banter for the duration of the flight. Really; even if I’m snoring, and drool is running down my chin, it is fine to wake me up to ask me my opinion of the weather and to inquire if the peanuts are fresh on this flight.” Last night was such a flight, but this time I’m glad the people sitting next to me ignored the fact that I was nodding off half way through the seatbelt instructions and engaged me in conversation anyway.
On the first leg of my flight from Tulsa to Atlanta I sat next to an 81 year old man who had served in the infantry during Korea. He regaled me with stories of what it was like to serve in the military during those days. He talked about the constant boredom and how that was interspersed with moments of absolute terror. He was completely fascinating and the flight ended much too quickly.
On the second leg of the flight from Atlanta to Nashville a young man sat down next to me with a buzz cut and slacks pressed so sharply I was afraid the crease might cut someone. He had just graduated from Marine boot camp and was heading home to see his fiancé whom he had not seen in four months. This kid was an animated recruiting poster. When I ask him why he joined the Marines, he actually replied; “because I want to be all that I can be, sir.” His enthusiasm was contagious, even about his impending tour of duty in Iraq. He will be an aircraft mechanic and he spoke eloquently about how his contribution will help keep the troops fed, clothed, and stocked with necessary supplies.
During both legs of the flight my thoughts turned to my father. Even though I lived in his home until I was 17, I barely knew the man. I did know that he had been a soldier. He was a Staff Sergeant during WWII and over the years I had heard a few stories about his time in the service. I know he was stationed in Alaska for about a year. I know that he landed on Normandy beach during the second day of the invasion. I know that he once pulled a troop carrier up to a winery in occupied France, loaded the back down with champagne, and charged it to the U.S. government. He once told me that for years after he got out of the service, he was sure that at any moment he was going to get a knock on his door and be presented with a bill for all that champagne. I know that he liked the service so much he signed up for a second tour of duty, and I know that when he finally came home he shot up all the stop signs in the thriving metropolis of Locust Grove, Oklahoma with his service revolver and that his wild ways were finally tamed by a cute 17 year old blond named Roberta, who one day became my mother.
I could see my father’s enthusiasm in the eyes of the young Marine, and I could see his worldly weariness in the eyes of the 81 year old veteran. I wish I could have seen more in the eyes of my father when he was alive.
Here’s to hoping my new friend the Marine comes home from Iraq and has the chance to make that fiancé of his, his wife.
Comments (23)
My dad who is almost 80 was involved in the tail end of
WWII and I really didn’t realize it for the longest time. All I remember is
him talking about one restaurant that he frequented in Hong Kong (?) was known
for its delicious steaks which he found out later were dog meat… Since we don’t
live close to my parents, I don’t get many chances to ask him about his experiences.
jaywalSC
My father served in Korea and Vietnam, and my stepfather served in WWII. My father was a career military man and very proud of his service to his country. I am proud of our troops. I have one close friend in Baghdad as I write this. He is proud to be there to train Iraqi troops so that learn to take care of themselves. My hats off to all soldiers, both active and inactive… you protect the freedom that most take for granted, and do it proudly!
Wonderful post! Everyone has a story to tell if you listen.
Husband was in the AF, not during any war time, but the stories he can tell! His father and 2 of his brothers were in the service too. FIL ran away at 14, lied about his age, and joined the Merchant Marines. One BIL was a Marine in Vietnam, and came home after being wounded very badly. Another BIL was in the Army, and came home with a French wife. Son has several friends in Iraq right now, and we know several other people currently stationed elsewhere. Hats off to all those who serve!
What an absolutely wonderful post! I’m sorry, but if you sat next to me during a flight, you’d be such a sight for this old granny’s eyes that I’d probably want to engage you in conversation too.
I think of people all the time that serve in the military…and like you I wish them a safe return and a long life.The fact that people can not helped but be changed both for the better and sometimes by having a part of them forever seperate from those they love..and who love them is tough..on all involved. RYC,,,if the veggies attack,,,I think it will be the trojan horse all over again…they will attack from the inside….be careful what you eat….lol
My father in law, Mike Sr., was involved in the battle of the Bulge (sp) in Belguim, he was part of a 77 men division and one of only 3 men in that division to survive that battle. He went on to fight all over Europe, and survived 4 full years of WWII. Oddly, by trade he was the division’s barber, my husband has his army trunk that has all of his things, including his Army issue 1942 barber’s kit. Included in the trunk is a Nazi flag, German luger, and an empty bottle of French Champaigne (maybe he ran into your father?) I don’t know what that bottle means, my father in law died of lung cancer before I met my husband, so I never had the chance to ask him, and stangely enough my husband was more interested in the guns, and flag so he never asked about the bottle!
I also hope and pray that the young Marine will come back and make that young lady his wife!
Beautiful post!
My grandfather served in Korea. I have no idea what his experiences were there outside of a photo album I found stowed away at my grandparents’ house. I think it’s one of those things you don’t ask about though. Hopefully he’s actually written in the book I gave him for Christmas a couple of years ago asking for his life story. The old man you met sounds a lot like my grandfather.
Wonderful post-I often think of questions I wished I had asked or experiences I wished I’d had with my mother or my grandparents before they passed on. There’s still some good memories, though.
RYC: thanks for the compliments on my pics!
My dad had awesome stories of his WWII service in Japan and Iwo Jima. I miss them so, and I wish I’d thought to tape or write them down or whatever.
I tend to withdraw completely when flying by myself… I’m not going to be one to talk anyone’s ear off.
Great story, Mark. Traveling allows you to meet people you would never encounter otherwise. Kind of like Xanga! How else would I know a salesman from Tulsa?
I hope your business trip is quickly, and successfully, over.
Thats a sweet story, it almost makes me wanna hug somebody.
Thanks for a good story. I too hope he comes home safe.
Peace and Love:)
RYC: You’re welcome, very nice dogs. Mine too rule here! I have to beg them to let me in my own bed lol
Gosh! that was one of the most refreshing, amusing and touching posts I’ve read in a long while. If xanga made sitcoms, they should give you the job of scriptwriter.
Marvelous. My husband spends a lot of time travelling for business too. He just came bnack from 12 days in Greece, he’s around for one week and then he’s off again for 8 days to Israel.
Thanks for putting a smile on my face.
Tomesara.
Great post Mark! It definately needed a ”kleenex alert” though, my makeup is smudged.
My son leaves for Japan in a few months and I know it is going to be an emotional time for me, as well as his new wife.
God bless all of our servicemen and women serving our country and to all those vets out there….Thank you!!! @—->—-
Okay, so I lost the whooping crane recipe but I did find one that compliments bald eagle quite well. Ever taste passenger pigeon?
That was a great post. I love talking to elderly people, because they’ve forgotten more than most of us will ever know, and they don’t mince words. When I fly it is a 50/50 shot for intelligent conversation, and much of that depends on how tightly I’m gripping the seat in front of me. (People tend to ignore you when you’re in deep, meditative prayer.) It isn’t that I don’t like flying; it’s crashing that I hate. Since I’m a cause-and-effect kinda gal, flying worries me….a lot.
You were blessed to share your travels with two such similar and yet such different traveling companions. Both enriched your life as I am sure they have done with many others.
So positive that two fellow passenger evoked memories of your past. You are lucky (?) that you travel so much! Does it wear you down, or do you look at each trip as a new, learning experience? Do you take pictures for future good memories, and for sharing with us?! I so appreciate your comment on my beauty post.
Nice post. And I’m sure the stop signs had it coming.
Thank you for reminding me to listen. Even more, thank you for reminding me of the light, hope, enthusiasm, character, and humor that shine from my grandfather’s Irish blue eyes, even at 87.
My Poppa (my daddy’s dad) has only recently begun mentioning small tidbits from his time in Korea. His next project for himself is to scan all of his pictures from over there and write down what they all are. As the family history buff (taking after him, of course), I hope he does it soon. I would love to help him and watch him do it, but I think it’s something he wants to do on his own and then share. And Don’t Fear the Reaper also made for a great SNL skit. Remember, “I’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!”