Would you like a good cry?

Question

Not my story but I want to share it... and share the good cry...
Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest act's of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal! .

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.
The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When
this! temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second.

Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it. After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon."

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event unfolded.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, their were very few dry eyes, including my own.

That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.

Answer 1

Thank you for sharing the story. I was on a flight with a young soldier going home on leave, during the flight we chatted, he was so rushed that I noticed that he still had the desert sand on his boots. He said that he had managed to leave earlier than expected and didn't even have time to pack. He only had time to leave a message on his parents answering machine, asking them to pick him up, he was a little worried that they hadn't been able to get the message.
Knowing that it was a late flight into a small airport I offered to give him a lift, if he needed. Fortunately, it was unnecessary, as when we landed there were about 250 people from his small farm town that had come to welcome him. It was a very moving experience to see.

Answer 2

This is a wonderful story and thank you for relating it. I did not cry, but then the VA gives me drugs that keep me from having mood swings, when I cry all the time over anything like this and then the next minute want to murder the next politician I see smiling with perfect teeth and spouting even more perfect cynicism from his putrid mouth. Yeah, when we came back from Vietnam we were sure well treated. I did get the opportunity to personally express my gratfulness to a bunch of guys coming back from Desert Storm. I thanked them profusely in an airport terminal in Mass. and walked away without future comment. I so hope that Courtney's father does come back, but if we are realists we know even now that someone's loved one is not coming home. I learned to hate war after being a gung ho young Infantry officer, Special Forces, Ranger, killer of VC. Now? I hate war. Some we may need to be in and then fight with everything we have and give no quarter. But, as Donald Trumpf just said on TV, it is time to just come home. End this war. These brave lads won the war but we cannot stop the revolution, particularly when it is funded and enfused with new fighters from outside Iraq. If we are going to fight Iran or Syria, let's do it and get it over. Right now our soldiers are dieing in an unendable insurrection after winning the initial war. Support a soldier! Demand that our troops come home! Listen to this now old disabled veteran or soon it may be time to bury your face deep in your hankerchiefs when you hear that Courtney's dad has died. I'm sorry for turning this story around but we must come to our senses about this.

Answer 3

That is a touching story. The thing is, no one is against these people. As Americans, we disagree with the senseless (or at least often times unclear) reason WHY such compassionate people should be forced to fight in a war that most of the country frowns upon as a sham. I don't mind speaking for the nation when I say we commend our troops and we sincerely love them. The thing we don't understand is WHY are they fighting Eurasia. Or was it Eastasia?

I'm gonna quit before I go all Cindy Sheehan on this.
Great story though. I'm glad you shared that.

Answer 4

Everyone needs to cut and paste this in a email to their Representatives to show them just how much we are behind the Troops, I only wish some one had video taped so it could be shown to the world.

Please Support Our Troops and Civilian Contractors

These People have a Job to do and are doing so with as Much Pride, Dignity, Honor, Morality and Self Sacrifice They can Muster

Answer 5

Hope you don't mind-I copied and pasted this onto an email to send to family and friends who are currently serving in Iraq. They are the ones who really need to know that people back home are truly supporting them no matter what the media shows otherwise.
Another means of supporting those troops serving in Iraq is to send them the ATT calling cards that are necessary for them to have any contact by phone with their families. If you don't personally know anyone there go to anysoldier.com and find hout how to get the phone cards to them.

Answer 6

Thank you for sharing this story, I am very proud of our men and women in uniform and love to hear about my fellow Americans honoring them the way they deserve to be honored.
The simple act of kindness of that serviceman will stay with that little girl for the rest of her life, and his.
I cannot tell you how proud I am to be an American, I always feel this way but right now I am overwhelmed with pride.
Thanks again!

Answer 7

That was an amazing an uplifting story. The media always portrays troops in a negative way...yhis shows they're human too. They deserve more respect and the love of a soldier and ...a child is reflected. Thanks for sharing

Answer 8

Wow... it is amazing how powerful this story truly is! Very touching.. and I thank you for sharing it with all of us! God works in mysterious ways to touch the hearts of strangers all over.. and you have just done so :)

Answer 9

That's the best story I've heard in months. Thank you for sharing. God bless our troops.

Answer 10

That is an amazing story thank you for sharing it I cried for the entire night for Courtney and her mom.