The Box Lunches....

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and settled into my assigned seat.
 
It was going to be a long flight. "I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I'll get a short nap," I thought.
 
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.
 
"Where are you headed?" I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.
 
"North of Chicago; to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq."
 
After we were in the air for about a half-hour, an announcement was made that box lunches were available, for $5 apiece.
 
It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly realized if I didn't take this opportunity, I'd get pretty hungry before landing. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch.
 
"No, that seems like a lot of money for just a box lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago." His friend agreed.
 
I looked around at the other soldiers; there were ten in all.
 
None were buying lunch.
 
I walked to the back of the plane, where I handed one of the flight attendants  a $50 bill, and said: "Please take a lunch to all those soldiers."
 
She grabbed my arm and squeezed tightly. Her eyes misted over and she thanked me, adding: "My son is serving in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him."
 
Picking up ten boxes, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, "Which do you like best - beef or chicken?"
 
"Chicken," I replied, wondering why she asked.
 
She turned and went to the front of the plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class: "This is your thanks."
 
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the restroom.
 
A man stopped me.  "I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this." He handed me $25.
 
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the flight's Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked.
 
I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane.
 
When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, "I want to shake your hand."
 
Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand.
 
He explained: "I was a soldier and I was a military pilot.  Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness." 
 
I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the other passengers. Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another $25 in my palm.
 
When we landed in Chicago, I gathered my belongings and headed toward the exit.
 
Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put two bills in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word.
 
Another twenty-five dollars!
 
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base.
 
I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars.
 
"It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God bless you."
 
Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.
 
As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return.
 
These soldiers were preparing to give their all for our country. I gave them only a few meals.  It seemed so little.

. . . . .

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his or her life, essentially wrote a blank check made payable to his country, for an amount of "up to and including my life."

That is honor. And there are way too many people in this society who no longer seem to understand it.

But for those who do, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We must be forever grateful for our veterans and the sacrifices they have made for all of us. As the very true saying goes: "All Gave Some -- Some Gave All."

Have You Thanked A Veteran Today?