An Unsual Event

I witnessed an amazing thing yesterday. I was privileged to see a group of people from all races, ethnic groups, ages, income and educational levels, occupations and apparent political ideologies unified for a brief moment in a wonderful gesture of humanity and grace.

I was at the Atlanta airport yesterday. Not the kind of place one would routinely expect to find any significant gesture of humanity or grace. Having traveled through this airport dozens of times over the past few years I can offer firsthand examples of exactly the opposite. People in a hurry and unconcerned with anyone other than themselves, business travelers with cell phones that appear to be surgically attached to their heads – pacing and talking about the latest ‘deal’ often at a voice level that allows everyone to hear what a wonderfully superior salesperson they are compared to the guy next to them on a cell phone trying to impress the guy sitting next to him. I love "people watching" at airports. Airports afford us the opportunity to see a microcosm of society in a confined space during a brief moment in time. All walks of life, all backgrounds and nationalities, all there for slightly different reasons. People experiencing the joys, or sorrows, of coming home and others rushing off to new adventures and to fulfill their dreams.

I was there to pick-up my son who was coming in from Texas. While waiting in the atrium of the Atlanta airport, I noticed an unusual number of men and women in uniform. They were not wearing dress uniforms – they were wearing the type of uniform you fight in – desert cammies. I began to watch each of them a bit more intently as they passed by in front of the chair I was sitting in. Some of the younger troops appeared to be apprehensive; others – older and more seasoned – went about their business as if this was just another day at work.

Perhaps I was more watchful and paid more attention to them than the average person because I am a veteran. A proud veteran - having served my country during a time of internal strife not seen since the Civil War – a time called Vietnam. My arrival in uniform – at any airport – was often not a pleasant experience. Suffice it to say that instead of passersby offering us an occasional warm smile or appreciative nod we were often subjected to explosive comments accusing us of all manner of heinous acts. A different time and a different place to be sure.

After a time, I looked up from the book I was reading and noticed that all the soldiers were gone. A few minutes later I heard some people in the atrium begin to clap – then cheer – I turned to my left to the sound of the noise and saw people beginning to stand to their feet just as the soldiers, in a column of twos, began to enter the area. Dozens and dozens of soldiers – initially with perplexed looks on their faces that faded into smiles and bowed heads of humility as they began to comprehend that we were cheering for them. As they slowly moved into the atrium, more and more people began to take notice and join in. Soon the entire group of perhaps a couple of hundred people were clapping and cheering – not stopping until the last soldier was out of sight. At that time, we didn’t know where they were going – overseas or stateside – it didn’t matter. These were OUR troops, representing OUR country, leaving behind wives, husbands, children, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, friends and loved ones. They were doing that for US. I know firsthand that the words duty, honor and country have great meaning for the men and women in uniform and unlike some; they live it out each day, letting their actions speak for them. I later learned that these young men and women of the United States Army were returning to Iraq for their second tour – volunteers all.

I looked at the faces of those who were clapping and cheering – the guy in the $2000.00 suit with a cell phone ear bud still attached, the Asian college student with the backpack, the black couple with the small toddler in the stroller, the petite young woman with the large book, the old man setting down his coffee cup so that he could clap – on and on. Many, like me, had tears in our eyes, the emotion of the moment catching us completely by surprise. Others were showing a sense of pride. Pride of country and of spirit. There was starch in the backbones of those clapping and cheering. At that moment, even for a second, we weren’t concerned with world opinion about our military, NATO declarations or political parties - we were all Americans sending off our young men and women to a distant land to fight for a just cause. It was a moment I pray that I will never forget. It took me above the junk of the day and caused me to reflect upon what makes the United States great: Devotion to others above self, a higher purpose and calling, a just cause and a sacrificial heart. Attributes that any individual or nation should admire and aspire to.

We never seem to hear about these types of stories from the reporters of the large newspapers, the political pundits or the talking heads on the network news. We never hear about them – but they are there.

I mentioned that I was at the airport to pick-up my son. This time he was coming home to his wife and daughter, his sister and her husband, his nephew, his mom and me - and not going off again for 21 days. He is a strong, committed, honorable and determined young man – my son David is a United States Marine. I rest well in knowing that young men and women like him are standing ready at the gate defending our freedoms – here and around the world.

Just thought you’d like to know.

- Scott Ptak