A Facebook friend recently posted about a similar reaction to the troops and I thought I would share again here....
Previously posted in my notes on Facebook; by Judy Good Hensley on Friday, April 2, 2010 at 5:59pm ·
We were in the Atlanta airport yesterday walking through a terminal to get to our next flight. We had passed a few soldiers in another terminal, but in this terminal there were many more. When we reach the middle of this terminal two waiting areas were full of men and women military personnel in the sand camouflage uniforms. My husband asked one man if they were going back overseas, and the man said, "yes, we have been on leave".
Sometimes the significance of an event is only fully comprehended when it strikes a personal chord. This certainly happened with me. After we sat down I went back down the hallway hoping I could muster enough courage to say 'thank you' to some of them. But when I got back to where all the soldiers were at all I did as I passed by was to just smiled at some. I was thinking 'How can I just say 'thank you' to just a few of them?” So I went back toward our gate waiting area without saying a word to one of them..
Back in the waiting area of our gate, in the middle of many civilians, I saw a young woman in her camouflage and I told myself 'Go tell her!' So I awkwardly approached her and said "Excuse me, I just wanted to say 'thank you for your service to our country!” I extended my hand, she shook it and replied "IT IS MY HONOR". I was overwhelmed. Here was a young lady, probably not more than 10 years older than my daughter who was leaving her family and friends for an extended amount of time to go work for us, maybe far away, maybe in harm’s way, and maybe because of a dedication instilled in her by ones who understand and value such sacrifice.
As I went back to my seat I couldn't help but think..She is someone's daughter, maybe someone's mom, someone's friend...and in my heart I wished there was a better way to say thanks. I will pray more for these men and women and their families for they are living a sacrifice I cannot fully understand but am so grateful for it.
It may be of no coincidence this happened on Easter weekend. I thought of the sacrifice of the One whom I have come to believe in as giving the greatest sacrifice for me. Jesus gave up his own life in exchange for mine to be made acceptable to God. I'm not sure I completely understand all of that sacrifice either, or even know how to thank Him. But I will try to honor His love for me everyday by showing others that there is more to this life than what we can see. Someone cares for us more than we will ever know, and I hope you understand what that means in your life! Have a blessed Easter!
Judy
Romans 14:9 (New Living Translation)
9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
Sometimes the significance of an event is only fully comprehended when it strikes a personal chord. This certainly happened with me. After we sat down I went back down the hallway hoping I could muster enough courage to say 'thank you' to some of them. But when I got back to where all the soldiers were at all I did as I passed by was to just smiled at some. I was thinking 'How can I just say 'thank you' to just a few of them?” So I went back toward our gate waiting area without saying a word to one of them..
Back in the waiting area of our gate, in the middle of many civilians, I saw a young woman in her camouflage and I told myself 'Go tell her!' So I awkwardly approached her and said "Excuse me, I just wanted to say 'thank you for your service to our country!” I extended my hand, she shook it and replied "IT IS MY HONOR". I was overwhelmed. Here was a young lady, probably not more than 10 years older than my daughter who was leaving her family and friends for an extended amount of time to go work for us, maybe far away, maybe in harm’s way, and maybe because of a dedication instilled in her by ones who understand and value such sacrifice.
As I went back to my seat I couldn't help but think..She is someone's daughter, maybe someone's mom, someone's friend...and in my heart I wished there was a better way to say thanks. I will pray more for these men and women and their families for they are living a sacrifice I cannot fully understand but am so grateful for it.
It may be of no coincidence this happened on Easter weekend. I thought of the sacrifice of the One whom I have come to believe in as giving the greatest sacrifice for me. Jesus gave up his own life in exchange for mine to be made acceptable to God. I'm not sure I completely understand all of that sacrifice either, or even know how to thank Him. But I will try to honor His love for me everyday by showing others that there is more to this life than what we can see. Someone cares for us more than we will ever know, and I hope you understand what that means in your life! Have a blessed Easter!
Judy
Romans 14:9 (New Living Translation)
9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
Military men and women waiting to go back overseas (ATL airport 4/1/10)
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