Annie Fawn

FLIGHT DELAY

This past week I was on a four and a half hour, non-stop flight
from Seattle, Washington, to Atlanta, Georgia.

In all my years of traveling, I have learned that each time a
plane has the opportunity to stop, there is potential for
unexpected challenges. Flight delays, weather and airline
crews can create unanticipated challenges on any trip. There
fore, I always try to fly non-stop between my destinations.

About an hour into this particular flight, the Captain's voice rang
over the intercom. He asked if there was a physician or nurse on
the plane. If so, he asked them to identify themselves by ringing
the flight attendant call button beside their seat.

I listened carefully but heard no one ring their bell. I right away
began to wonder what was happening. In a few minutes the
Captain informed us that there was a medical emergency on
board and asked again if there was a physician or a nurse who
could help.

When there was no response, we were told that we were going to
make an emergency stop in Denver, Colorado. He apologized but
told us that there would be a medical emergency team waiting to
meet us at the gate and that we would probably only be delayed
by about thirty minutes.

Though it was necessary, we knew we would all be inconvenienced
by the extra stop. About half an hour later, we landed at Denver
International Airport and the medical crew immediately came on
board. However, everything took longer than had previously been
expected. An elderly gentleman, about 85 years old, had suddenly
taken ill. It was not clear whether he had experienced a stroke or
heart attack.

Even after the gentleman was carried off of the plane, we still sat
there for quite a while. The original "short" stop turned into about
an hour and a half. When we finally pushed back from the gate
and were in the air, the pilot apologized profusely for the
unavoidable delay.

He said that since the stop had taken longer than expected, those
passengers who needed to make connections in Atlanta would
miss their flights but would automatically be booked on the next
flight out.

You could almost hear the moans and groans throughout the
airplane of everyone who was being inconvenienced by the
unexpected stop.

Then the pilot did one of the classiest things I have personally ever
seen or heard anyone do. He spoke into the intercom and said,
"Ladies and gentlemen, I thought you might be interested in one bit
of information. The elderly gentleman who was taken off the plane
was a Marine in WWII.

I am holding in my hand a copy of the Congressional Medal of Honor
that was awarded to him and signed by President Harry Truman in
1945."

The pilot said, "I realize that we have all been inconvenienced today.
However, in light of the fact that this gentleman was a war hero and
was inconvenienced for four years of his life in order that we might
experience the freedoms that we enjoy today, I thought you all should
know that."

Immediately the airplane was filled with applause. Everyone was
cheering and so pleased to know that the gentleman had been cared
for in a way that was fitting and appropriate. As we continued to fly, I
thought to myself, "Isn't that interesting? We were concerned that we
were inconvenienced for a couple of hours and yet, this gentleman's
entire life was interrupted and inconvenienced for over four years
while he went and fought in a war to protect the freedoms and values
that we love and hold dear in this country today."

I breathed a prayer for the gentleman and asked God to bless him
for all he had done to help us understand what freedom is all about.
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid
Dwight D. Eisenhower

Minorities......WE NEED TO SHOW MORE SYMPATHY FOR THESES
PEOPLE~!! They travel miles in the heat. They risk their lives crossing
a border. They don't get paid enough wages. They do jobs that others
won't do or are afraid to do. They live in crowded conditions among a
people who speak a different language. They rarely see their families,
and they face adversity all day every day. I'm not talking about illegal
Aliens; I'M TALKING ABOUT OUR TROOPS!!!!

Doesn't it seem strange that many Democrats and some Republicans
are willing to lavish all kinds of social benefits on illegals, but don't
support our troops and are now threatening to defund them?
Please pass this on; this is worth the short time it takes to read it.

MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!

__________________
Courage is just fear that has said it's prayers.

middle of the sky

did this actually happen to you or is this from a newspaper? oh btw..its kewl

timmy tiger

That was very good and befitting Veteran's day.

Annie Fawn

A friend of mine sent it to me from Maryland. Not where she got it from.

__________________
Courage is just fear that has said it's prayers.