I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be  a  long, uneventful flight home. 

With the huge capacity and slow moving  people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and  never paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them, I  simply shook my head knowing that  this flight was not starting out very well.  I was anxious to get home to see  my loved ones so I was focused on my issues  and just felt like standing up  and yelling for some of these clowns to get  their act together. 

I knew I couldn't say a word so I just thumbed through the "Sky Mall" magazine  from the seat pocket in front of me. 

You know  it's really getting rough when you resort to the over priced,  useless sky mall crap to break the monotony. 

With everyone finally seated, we just  sat there with the cabin door open and  no one in any hurry to get us going  although we were well past the scheduled  take off time. 

No wonder the airline industry is in trouble I told myself. 

Just then, the attendant  came on the intercom to inform us all that we were being delayed. 

The  entire plane let out a collective groan. 

She resumed speaking to say "We  are holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to  the plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes. 

The word  came after waiting six times as long as we were promised that I was  finally  going to be on my way home. 

Why the hoopla over "these" folks? 

I  was expecting some celebrity or sport figure to be the reason for the hold  up.

Just get their butts in a seat and let's hit the gas I  thought. 

The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and  excited voice that we were being joined by several U.S. Marines returning  home from Iraq!!! 

Just as they walked on board, the entire plane  erupted into applause. 

The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340  people cheering for them as  they searched for their seats. 

They were  having their hands shook and touched by almost everyone who was
within an  arm's distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman   kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her 

The applause, whistles and cheering didn't stop for a long time. 

When we were finally  airborne, I was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in "me" getting home, finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand. 

These men had done for all of us and I had been  complaining silently about  "me" and "my" issues I took for granted the  everyday freedoms I enjoy and  the conveniences of the American way of  life. 

I took for granted that others had paid the price for my ability to  moan and   complain about a few minutes delay to "me" while those Heroes were going home to their loved ones. 

I attempted to get my selfish outlook  back in order and minutes before we landed, I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a  request for everyone to remain in their seats until our heroes were allowed to gather their things and be first off the  plane. 

The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off and we all rose to go about our too often taken for granted everyday  freedoms. 

I felt proud of them!

I felt it an honor and a privilege  to be among the first to welcome them home and say "Thank you for a job well  done." 

I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the lesson  learned. I can't say it enough, THANK YOU to those Veterans and active  servicemen and women  who may read this and a prayer for those who cannot  because they are no longer with us. 

GOD BLESS AMERICA! 

WELCOME  HOME!  AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!