Marines fêted at O’Hare
The Washington Times reports that 13 marines returning from Afghanistan got an unexpected welcome at O’Hare airport in Chicago. When they landed, the local fire department greeted the aircraft with an arch of water. inside the airport they were welcomed by fire fighters and police who joined the USO folks. Then they all had their seats upgraded on their final leg of the journey to San Diego thanks to some folks who gave up their own first class tickets;
American Airlines then upgraded six of the Marines’ tickets on a San Diego-bound flight to first class — the last of the available seating in that section, AP reported. Seven other first-class ticket holders immediately gave up their seats, though, and traded down so the Marines could all sit together.
From Fox News, the backstory on the welcome;
The welcome home started with a phone call. Stephanie Hare, a native of Illinois who now works in England, called the USO at O’Hare and explained that her fiance, Rajan, who had served seven months in Afghanistan, was with a dozen other Marines on a plane bound for Chicago from Baltimore.
“I just thought if they could get them some Chicago pizza, champagne or something, that would mean a lot,” she said.
On the other end of the line was John Colas, a 74-year-old former Marine USO volunteer. He told Hare he’d try to do something in the hour or so before the flight landed. But he cautioned that while volunteers make an effort to welcome military personnel whenever they come through the airport, he wasn’t sure he could pull anything off in such a short time.
Colas got on the phone with the police and fire departments, the airlines and anyone else he could think of.
“There must have been 15 Chicago firemen and an equal number of Chicago police and they formed a corridor for the Marines when they got off the airplane,” he said.
Rajan said the Marines didn’t know what to make of it, starting with the slightly unnerving experience of looking out a plane window to see a fire truck.
“For a second, we were like, ‘Are we in trouble?'” he said.
There’s always a Vietnam-era veteran behind these things.
Category: Support the troops
Like I said on the other website that posted this before you did….
DAMN IT’S DUSTY IN MY CUBICLE….(happy tears)
Awesome story!
Something similar happened to me a few other Marines in Bangor Maine coming home from DS in ’91-only a handful of us got off this plane as it was continuing on to the west coast. I figured I’d get a civilian flight home.
The whole friggen town it seemed was in the waiting area and was so overwhelming we hid ourselves for some time (until we realized that we ha dot go through them to get to the bar 😀 )
I signed autographs (?), shook dozens of hands, was kissed, help babies, took pictures some many other things. Once in the bar, we of course got a drink or two bought for us too (which was good since I didn’t have any cash whatsoever):)
What was even better-the airport manager asked me where I was going and how I was getting there-I told him DC and that I’d arrange to buy a ticket on the next flight I could. He said absolutely not and to come with him-and proceeded to drive me to the Air Nat Guard office on the airport, who then on his say, printed me up a ticket at govt. expense on the next flight!
Even better, I too was given a first class upgrade, and the wonderful flight crew even served me drinks while still ont he ground-and after having nothing for months prior…..
I woke up …way later, on the plane all by myself on the ground in DC-the damn thing had landed and everybody had exited! They left me in peace along with a written note from one of the flight crew thanking me.
Revisiting it as I typed this, it’s still a bit overwhelming. I will never forget the wonderful people of Bangor, nor the flight crew of Delta for thier kindness.
Well done, Mr. Colas. Damn well done.
Thanks.
Dang, crucible, that’s a great story!!
First class passengers giving up their seats … folks showing up and being a blessing to these Marines … just warms the cockles of my heart.
America lives!
Technically only 6 of the Marines got their tickets upgraded. The other 7 were from first class patriots showing their appreciation and giving up their seats.
Love stories like this. This is just super.
Outstanding.
We are a GREAT NATION!
I was in Atlanta coming back from Iraq on R&R leave and met some very nice people. I had just ordered a beer (and then told “sir we don’t serve at 7 A.M.”)and then decided to go get breakfast. I finished and went to pay only to find out someone had already paid for my meal. On the train between terminals I had a guy give me a bottle of whiskey that he had bought in Chille. When I got to my gate I found out that I was upgraded to first class along with another Soldier. When we landed at our destination the pilot came over the intercom and asked everyone to stay in their seats and let the Military get off first. We got a standing ovation. That trip still warms my heart whenever I think about it.
When I came back from Iraq in 2010, I had a man give up his 1st class seat for me. I turned him down and told him to offer it to my lowest ranking Airman that was on my squad. My 2 striper was very happy on that flight.
This is why America is the greatest nation on earth.
“Faith, hope and love were some good things He gave us.
And the greatest is love.”
“For a second, we were like, ‘Are we in trouble?’” he said.
Anybody here who can’t identify with that? Awesomest.
I was spittin’ nails all day–up until this thread. The goodness didn’t end at the airport. See how that works? Amazing stuff.
I am holding onto this thread. I’m not gonna read another. Tomorrow, I can return to being the first guy drafted for anger management Class. But not today.
Always wanted a bumper sticker that said: “VIETNAM VETERAN Proud To Have Served, Ashamed Only Of The American Congress And The Support Of The American People!” I swore when my brother served in Desert Storm that I would do everything in my power to make sure he wasn’t treated the way we were when he returned. I renewed that pledge when 9-11 occurred and we had warriors serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. United Airlines has a similar policy and my son who served two tours downrange in Afghanistan with Bravo Co. 2-508 PIR 4BCT 82nd Airborne Division was upgraded to first class on three different occasions! 🙂
In addition to this he has had his meals paid for several times. He has said ‘It’s a very humbling experience.’ I just told him you earned it son, ENJOY and carry it forward!
@16. Outstanding.
God blesses America through its acts of kindness to one another. Great story.
There are great people in this country, and lots of them. The knowledge that there are still pockets of ‘America’ like this all across the nation is the only thing that keeps me from completely divorcing myself from society.
Upon our return from Iraq in 2004, our entire company received an incredible welcome home from the good folks of Bangor Maine when we deplaned to stretch before our carry on flight to Ft. Bliss. The outpouring of support, and display of patriotism was not just humbling, it had more than a few of us hunched in the bar trying not to cry in our beer. The only thing that moved me more than that on the trip home was being mauled by my kids when we were released from ranks at the reception center at Ft. Bliss a few hours later.
Good on those folks who gave up their first class seats and allowed the Marines to travel home together, and in style. It’s good to hear people still appreciate our armed forces this much, this many years into the struggle.
@10. Way to be a leader. Good job.
And probably the only reason you don’t hear about the hippies having a hissie fit is that most of them can’t afford to fly. Those few that can buy (beg, borrow, steal) a plane ticket had enough smarts to keep their mouths shut.
@1 Crucible,
I flew into JFK in New York after Desert Storm. When we deboarded the plane the airport admin told all the liquor stores to lock up so gates were coming down and being locked literally as we walked off the plane. That particular terminal was also locked down so we couldn’t go out into the main terminal and civilians couldn’t come into ours. The only civilians there were the shop employees. Not sure if it was done at the request of the military or the airport….
Welcome Home one & all….Semper Fi Semper !