The Sack Lunches

[LarryO1970]

The 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.

' Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq '.

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 Chicago , and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard 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 Chicago '.

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 our thanks.'

After I 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, 'Sir, 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 put another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago 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 his country who no longer understand it.'

AMEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


This was passed on to me, I am passing it on to you, my fellow Veterans.

[Full MeTal Jack]

Larry was this actually you? Or some fwd in email?
You, thank you very much.
Back in April 08, son#1 received his 2nd Lieutenat commission. We went to eat afterwards. Both sons in uniform with patches on their right sleeves. There was 5 of us. Someone in restruant bought our entire lunch. I gladly picked up the gratuiity.
Will return the favor to another armed forces family someday.

[bigdippin]

Wow, thats a great story. I really enjoyed reading it.

[texnmidwest]

I have read that story several times. I still get goose bumps every time I read it.

[ArkansasHunter]

To me this is what life is all about, giveing and expecting nothing in return yet this gentleman got back what he gave.

Wether the story is true or false it was fitting to read and live by...A.H

[Jim Rau]

Well I can't top that. But I fly AOT and have bought a meal or a beer for several guys and gals in uniform I have encountered and will continue to do so.
If you did this Larry, thank you!

[Seabeescotty]

More damp eyes, here in Oklahoma! That read really made my heart swell, and made me feel like I'm part of a very special group of people. I try to thank today's warriors, every time I meet them, and let them know that we are behind their sacrifices, one hundred percent. Thanks for the reminder, Larry!

[Windwalker]

Know what you mean about the damp eyes in Oklahoma, Seebee. I have read this several times and it gets me each time. Thanks to all our Vets. Because of them we still live in a free Country.

[LarryO1970]

... no guys, this was not me. This was forwarded to me by a friend and fellow Veteran I served with overseas.

I would have gladly done what I could to help the guys in uniform too..

[Deersniper]

Good story. God knows those soldiers needed it. My brother sent me that last week and it did swell up them eyeballs.

[Full MeTal Jack]

I usually have a spare $50.

[Seabeescotty]

I know what you mean, I try to be there, for them, when they get home. My nephew came home, with a purple heart, and one of the kids who went to boot with my youngest, also got awarded one. It was a traumatic experience for him, as his vehicle commander was killed by the same blast. Another young man, who went to boot with my son, was caught in a bad ambush, and suffers from PTSD, also. I sat, and listened to his narrative, til two in the morning, when he got out. I wish I could take the pain from his heart, but realize it's impossible, so I gave as much time as he needed, to get it off his chest. He said it was nice to talk to a veteran who had walked the same mile, in the same shoes. I hope it helped him.

[White Rook]

What a great story. Damp eyes here also. God Bless all of our Troops. May the Good Lord be with all of our Troops and their Families during this Holiday Season.

[mtncrash1]

Larry I post on the other one. so will add same to this one( or at least similar) There isnt any way to express the thanks that the individual deserves but as a vet I thank him the best I can.May God bless him and those soldiers.
Larry thank you for sharring it with us.

[SightNSqueeze]

Thanks Larry,
My two nephews; one Marine, the other Army recently returned from western and southern Iraq. My wife's god son is still at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. When I was at Ramadi in 06, I met a civilian contractor whose Army husband had been killed in action a couple of years earlier. She started a profitable construction company there and has been very generous to Americans and Iraqis alike with her wealth. Even if it wasn't you, you strike me as someone who would be just as generous regardless of financial standing. Thanks for serving and being there when needed.