I apologize for how late this post is, almost a week past the date, but I have not been well as of late, so I failed to post anything on Sunday. A friend emailed me the below story & I think it is very touching. I would also like to apologize for the lack of photos of any sort, as my computer will not allow me to load them at present.
Sack Lunches
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned
seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will
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. 'Petawawa.
We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan.
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for
five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch
would help pass the time...
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 sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks.
I'll wait till we get to base.
His friend agreed.
I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch.
I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all
those soldiers.'
She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a
soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'
Picking up ten sacks, 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 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 rest room. A man
stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five
dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight 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. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once,
someone bought me a lunch.
It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the
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 twenty-five dollars in
my palm.
When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.
Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something
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 giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of
meals. It seemed so little...
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made
payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and
including my life.'
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'
Psalm 23:1-6: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Have a blessed week,
Sarah Grace
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