Arizona Sailors!

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Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on April 8, 2009 at 10:47am

These are a few photos from the recent DEP/N4M event that I attended in Phoenix last weekend. Thanks to Paige and Julie from NayforMoms for the invite and hospitality shown me. I hope we canorganize a few more events like this and bring some more NavyDads members to these sorts of events. Also thanks to Cdr Phillips, Commanding Officer, Navy Recruiting District, Phoenix for showcasing the fine young men and women that will soon be shipping off the Great Lakes ot start their Navy journey. Paul

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on April 3, 2009 at 10:06pm

Looking forward to my visit to Phoenix tomorrow Tom- hope we can talk a little about the pride that our sailors have instilled in us as NavyDads and NavyMoms!!!!!

Comment by Tom McGlew on April 3, 2009 at 10:00pm

I just received this email from a retired colleague and a Marine. I thought I would pass this along. It is a great story and one that should be repeated. Thanks. Kelly is doing fine at boot camp.

With many Airlines now charging for all drinks and snacks or meals this is something to think about next time you fly!


This is AWESOME!

Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan .

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time..

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his Buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base '

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers..' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out hi s hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals.

It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'

Comment by Paige on March 27, 2009 at 6:17pm

Tom,
Thank you for the response back. I will be sure to include the two of you in the head count. I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet you and Peggy as well as the others.

See you in about a week!!

Paige

Comment by Tom McGlew on March 27, 2009 at 5:54pm

Hi Paige,

I wianted to let you know that Peggy and I will be there for the event Pinic on April 4th. Thank you for the invitation and we look forward to meeting you and others from Navy Dads and Moms.

Tom and Peggy McGlew

Comment by Paige on March 27, 2009 at 11:21am

Jim, thanks for letting me know. Congratulations to Aaron!! Have a great time at PIR. After you get back, let us know how your trip was.

Take Care,
Paige

Comment by Jim G. on March 26, 2009 at 10:14pm

Paige, my wife and I will be in Chicago on April 4th, celebrating Aaron's PIR on April 3. Thanks for keeping us all in the loop!

Jim

Comment by Paige on March 26, 2009 at 9:40am

Thanks Randy!
I've already been counted also on the N4M's list of those atttending. I just have to add my son as well. I will be sure to confirm these counts with Julie so we don't get counted twice. I'm looking forward to meeting you and Jimmy.

Comment by Paige on March 25, 2009 at 8:24pm

I was contacted by a N4M's member regarding the DEP picnic on April 4th. The recruiters would like a head count by next wednesday as to how many plan to attend the event. They are providing sandwiches and drinks and would like to be prepared. Please post a response before Wed. and I will relay the info to the appropriate person.

Thank you!!

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 24, 2009 at 9:15pm

Welcome offically to the Navy world Tom! You're gonna have all kinds of ups and downs and questions--- I know you've used Navyads to help answer some of those so continue to post your worries and concerns and we'll try to address those as best we can.

Tom- I'm developing a message to send out about the April 4th meet-n-greet and I think it would be great for you and your wife to be there. I'm planning on coming up and hope to help answer questions from other parents with kids in DEP or in the early phases of their Navy journey.......Paul

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