I would hear the phrase “Thank you for your service” and not think much about it. That all changed in May 2014 when I witnessed the landing of an Honor flight. From that day on, the words took on an added importance.
I was in Reagan International Airport waiting to fly home after a trade conference. Many of the flights including mine had been delayed because of bad weather. But soon among the announcements was one saying that a World War II Veterans’ Honor flight from Anchorage, Alaska would soon be landing. I didn’t pay much attention at first to the announcement that would repeat every 15 minutes . . . that is not until the one that said they would be handing out flags for anyone who wanted one as they welcomed the veterans. Many people continued standing in line, waiting to learn of their travel options as the delay got longer and they knew they wouldn’t make their connecting flight. I was standing to watch the screens updating the flight and had my backpack loaded down with books and computer equipment. My other arm was partially free since my purse wasn’t as heavy. But I stayed put, glancing to my right to see an employee with miniature American flags. Several young men stepped forward to get one. But only a few. I began to wonder if many people would even turn around when the flight arrived, so worried and harried they were with the travel chaos.
As the announcements became more frequent, I wondered if passengers would at least turn around to see the veterans walk through the gate. There were so many people crammed into the gate areas by now with the weather forecast continuing to be negative. People were looking out the windows to see the gathering clouds that confirmed the delays being updated on the screens.
With the final announcement that the Honor flight bringing the WWII Alaskan veterans to Washington DC had landed, I saw a small media crew getting set up. But we all still stood in our place. Some turned to look to the far right where the agents opened the doors to the gate where the veterans were to walk through. Within 15 minutes the first few people begin their slow walk through the doors. The young men who had been the only ones to take the flags began waving them. Those closest to the gate began clapping and cheering at the first sight of the very elderly group slowly making their way up the ramp.
What I remember most about the veterans as I walked closer to the gate were their eyes. Unlike the frailty of their bodies, their eyes were alert and bright and moved quickly around the crowd. I will never forget the expressions on their faces – first of shock at seeing such a large group of people surrounding them and hearing loud cheers and then of joy when they realized it was for them. Many were overcome by emotion with tears welling up in their eyes.
The reactions of the veterans immediately transformed the crowd who only moments before were complaining of delays, visibly frustrated and impatient to not yet know their travel plans. Tense jaws were relaxed, and suddenly the anger and frustration disappeared and in its place was a mixture of both awe, joy, and gratitude. Everyone clapped and cheered, and those closest to the slow yet steady parade of the remarkable veterans tried to make eye contact with them, to shake their hand, or to pat them on the shoulder. They wanted a way to show their gratitude to this group of veterans. As the clapping and cheering became louder the expressions on the veterans’ face continued to light up. They were energized just as their very presence had uplifted an entire wing of the airport. Many people had tears streaming down their faces as they clapped and called out to the veterans. I overhead several people near me relaying stories of their own relatives who had served but had since died.
What also struck me was the support and love shown by those escorting the veterans as they made their way through the terminal. The spouses, grown children, and adult grandchildren of these men and women were greatly moved by the experience. Some were pushing a wheelchair and making sure a crocheted afghan covering their loved one didn’t get caught in the wheels. Another looked to be a son helping his father get up from the wheelchair to walk part of the way.
Later that evening the weather cleared, and my flight was finally called. As passengers began boarding, we talked about how fortunate we were to have our flight delayed. Had we left at the scheduled time, we would have missed the Honor flight. It was an amazing experience that brings me to tears each time I have reflected on it. It is one I have recounted to my family and friends and to my students . . . to share what it taught me . . . the importance of expressing our gratitude, especially for sacrifices of which we can’t begin to know the depth. And for that, I never want to miss the opportunity to thank veterans for their service.