By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Petras]Michael Petras
I've never served in the US armed forces.
I've never gone to sleep at night with a loaded weapon by my bedside or experienced sheer terror.
I've never lived with the knowledge that just wearing the uniform of our great nation makes me a terrorist target.
Unlike prior eras, military personnel today are instructed to not travel in their uniform. So I was quite surprised to look up from seat 8E on my flight from Chicago to Boston to witness 6 soldiers dressed in full uniform boarding our flight.
They all looked so young.
I wondered where they were going and where they had been. I tried to imagine them just two years earlier...perhaps still in high school getting ready for a date, and asking dad if they could borrow the car...or asking mom if she could loan them $20 bucks.
As they filed by my seat, it didn't surprise me that all of them were polite, dignified, and patient as they slowly made their way to the back of the airplane.
I felt more secure with them on the plane, and yes, it bothered me they were sitting in the back of the plane. I muttered to myself: "They should be sitting in First Class."
Just as the boarding process was complete, our flight's Captain chimed in:
"Welcome aboard American flight 876 to Boston. It's a perfect day to fly and we expect a smooth flight to Boston today. I'd especially like to recognize and welcome several members of the US Army who are returning home from active duty in Afghanistan. Thank you for your service."
The plane erupted in applause and cheers.
Two hours later our flight gently touched down in Boston and the deplaning process began. As usual, everyone seemed in a big hurry and the isles were jammed with people gathering up their belongings.
As the passengers began to shuffle towards the exit, one of the flight attendants announced: "To those US soldiers on this flight, your families are waiting for you at the end of the ramp. There's quite a gathering out there!"
My thoughts: "Are you kidding me?! First they make our heroes sit in the back of the plane...and now, after a year of fighting in Afghanistan...we make them wait until everyone else has exited the plane!
Shouldn't it be the other way around?
But as I exited the plane, I realized that everything happens for a reason...and I was about to witness the divine hand of providence at work in a powerful way.
Upon entering the terminal, I saw about 30 people closely gathered outside our gate anxiously looking to see their loved ones come into view.
My eyes were drawn to a 4 year old boy standing in front holding a sign that was almost as big as him that read:
WELCOME HOME, DADDY!!
I saw young women dressed to the nines...just like they were going out on their first date. I saw fathers and mothers unable to hold back tears of joy while they waited for the first glimpse of their son...perhaps after more than a year.
I heard children squealing with excitement and nervous laughter as the anticipation mounted.
Then it hit me.
Many of the passengers, including myself and my wife, had quietly become part of the welcoming group. Total strangers from all walks of life, were now gathered together in a large semi-circle. After all, these are our sons too!
I felt a special spirit in a place not familiar with this kind of uncommon love and kinship.
After what seemed like an eternity, each soldier made his entrance into the light. As you can imagine, children rushed into their father's arms, families embraced, and tears of joy flowed. All of us clapped and cheered...and wept.
It was a wonderful moment that I will cherish for a long, long time.
As I looked around the room, there wasn't a dry eye in the terminal. Even people waiting at adjacent gates were caught up in this special reunion.
As we parted ways and slowly made our way through the terminal, my feelings of joy soon turned to anxiety for these young men. Will they be able to find rewarding jobs in this crazy economy? Will some of their youthful innocence and optimism remain after witnessing the horrors of war?
I hope the love and gratitude they felt from all of us this day will linger with them.
Fast forward 48 hours.
My wife and I were still in Boston. We hopped on the Green Line of the subway which was packed with people. In the rush, a cute little 6 year old girl had been separated from her mother who was only seated 4-5 rows ahead.
But to this girl, it probably looked like a mile.
My wife signaled to the mother that she was watching over her daughter, and not to worry. The mother seemed relieved even though we were total strangers.
The little girl stood patiently next to my wife, smiled often, and talked with my wife like she was her favorite aunt. As the train came to a stop and everyone filed out the door, this little girl affectionately looked up at my wife and said: "I love you!"
My wife said, "I love you too."
Everyone around us, who minutes earlier were suspiciously looking over their shoulders, felt something powerful connecting all of us...thanks to the example of this beautiful young child. At that moment, my mind went back to the reunion in the airline terminal.
I suddenly felt optimistic about the future...and the future of those young soldiers.
Michael Petras is an author, career advisor, and veteran executive recruiter of fifteen years. To learn more about the author and his work, go to his [http://www.job-interview-wisdom.com/aboutme.html]About Me page on his popular website.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Returning-Soldiers-and-a-Little-Girl-Taught-Me-About-the-Power-of-Love&id=6569193] Returning Soldiers and a Little Girl Taught Me About the Power of Love
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