color: SOME SOLDIER'S MOM: Mourn With Those Who Mourn - Update

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Mourn With Those Who Mourn - Update


I spoke with Noah... He told me how deferential and respectful everyone had been during his travels... How the airline crews handling Tommy's casket had stopped to pay respects... An escort must be present whenever the casket is loaded and unloaded from vehicle to plane, from plane to plane, to vehicle... and as they changed planes twice, the loading and unloading occurred frequently and he mentioned how gently everyone involved handled the casket and how respectful they had been... How nice the flight and cabin crews had been.
Since he was traveling in his Class-A uniform through two airports, many people stopped to thank him, talk with him. He could not discuss why he was traveling, but people were polite and encouraging all along the journey just because he was a soldier. These people were genuinely grateful for his service, and Noah was genuinely touched by the show of support. He mentioned that he will miss the funeral for another of his comrades which will take place on Tuesday while he travels back, but he will be able to attend the memorial service for the five soldiers on Thursday. It's important to him.
He called at nearly midnight our time -- 3:00AM back at his base... He had just gotten to his hotel after finishing at the mortuary and completing the tasks and paperwork required of him. He sounded good, if tired. I know the staff from the AF base in Delaware picked Noah and a few other escorts up at 0600 this morning, so I'm sure he's exhausted. He heads back to the airport for the return flight tomorrow (this) morning with a layover at DFW, so one of his aunts that lives nearby is going to meet him between flights even though the layover is just an hour (that's assuming the flights are on time). I told my sister that she didn't have to try to get out there with such a short layover, but this former Marine had not been able to see her nephew before he deployed and said, "If he was within 100 miles, I'd be there for just 5 minutes to hug the stuffings outta that soldier!" So if all goes well, Noah will get a big hug tomorrow. And a hug from one of my sissies is almost as good as a hug from Mom...
And I heard from one of our Guys via instant message just briefly this evening... He said they missed Noah but were glad he was here and not there... they were so exhausted... that the mail deliveries are now pretty irregular where they are (as are food deliveries) because of the risk of IEDs so they were more grateful than ever to have the packages when they got through... they need everything, so the call is going out to Noah's network of friends and family to load up for the Guys... they were hurtin' for the loss of their friends, but otherwise their morale is high -- they're "gittin' it done". I closed with my usual "eyes up & a$$ down" which got a LOL laugh. Sometimes, it's so sad, ya just gotta laugh...
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

7 Comments:

At 10/25/2005 3:34 AM , Blogger Call Me Grandma said...

The one part of this story that makes you feel good is that people acknowledge our troops.
I think that is so great that people take the time to thank Noah. I know when I see our guys in their dress blues or any offical military uniform, I swell up with pride. There is nothing like a man or waoman in uniform.
My prayers are with Noah and the families of our fallen heroes.
May God bless them.

 
At 10/25/2005 5:46 AM , Blogger Stacy said...

We live in such a wonderful country, with such wonderful people. I am so glad that Noah is being treated with the respect that he deserves.

I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

 
At 10/25/2005 6:47 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a hard job for Noah to do, but so respectable of him. He sounds like an amazing person and son. I keep him and all his "brothers" in my prayers. My nephew will be home a week from now to a month from now, we don't know for sure. It is just exciting. It has been a long journey, and until all our men and women are home, it will be an even longer journey.

 
At 10/25/2005 7:23 AM , Blogger barb pfister said...

It is great the way people are treating Noah, I am so glad he is getting the respect he deserves. Will keep him in our prayers, along with the families of the other fallen soldiers.

Barb

 
At 10/25/2005 9:19 AM , Blogger Melinda said...

I'm glad Noah had a chance on such a somber journey to meet people who were so respectful and representative of so many of us and how we feel.

Thanks for the update on the guys. I will be headed to Sam's Club this week. :) Can't have my flat rate boxes idling when there is work to be done. ;)

 
At 10/25/2005 4:39 PM , Blogger John Witmer said...

Eighteen months ago my daughters made a similar journey as they brought the body of their sister home from Iraq. They told of all the wonderful people who came along beside as they traveled back to the US and they also spoke of the great care and respect given their sister's casket when it was transferred from plane to plane.

Noah is in my prayers. Thanks for telling this story.

 
At 10/27/2005 11:06 AM , Blogger Fermina Daza said...

Your son is an amazing man.

 

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