The following story really struck a chord when I read it! You see, DH and I experienced the same thing last fall at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport!
Maybe it was one of those “you had to be there” moments; but I still appreciate Sara Rigler’s telling:
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One of the most moving scenes I ever witnessed took place at Gate B2 of the Baltimore airport.
I had set down my carry-on and taken out my prayer book, when I suddenly heard a sound I had never before heard in any airport: applause.
Are people greeting a rock star?, I wondered.
A couple of minutes later another wave of applause picked me up and carried me to Gate B2 where a crowd of about 30 people was gathered. Lined up against the wall were 5 uniformed sailors and sundry civilians, including a TSA official.
I weaved my way through to glimpse the object of all this adulation. At the entrance to the jet-way I spotted him: an old man in a wheelchair.
The follow pushing the wheelchair stopped to let the old man absorb his rousing welcome. The man smiled and weakly lifted his right hand to acknowledge the crowd. As the wheelchair slowly moved past the receiving line, the sailors saluted, others nodded, and the TSA official stepped forward, shook the old man’s hand and said in a heartfelt voice, “Thank you for your service.”
A quiet lull ensued, and then another round of applause for the next deplaning passenger – another old man, standing wobbly on his own legs, leaning on a cane. He paused, looked up in surprise at his hero’s welcome, as if not quite understanding all the hullabaloo, then continued his limping gait. He stopped only when the TSA official stepped forward, grasped his hand and said, “Thank you for your service.”
What’s going on here””, I asked the young woman beside me.
“They’re WWII veterans; they’ve come to see their monument in Washington DC.”
When the last wheelchair rolled off, I approached the official:
“I want you to know that I was very moved at how you thanked each and every veteran.” I told him. “We all clapped, but you were the only one who put the gratitude into words. And words are very important.”
“Well,” he said humbly, “I myself served, so I know what they’ve been through.”
Unexpressed gratitude is like a gift purchased and wrapped, but never given.
Gratitude opens every door!
Happy Spiritual Sunday ...
and Happy Independence Day!
(Please, stay safe out there!)
and Happy Independence Day!
(Please, stay safe out there!)
