Heros onboard!

**Chas** · 04-20-07, 12:44 AM

My son Ben is deploying to Iraq in the US ARMY today......We knew this day was coming on fast and it didnt matter, still a very emotional day for my family.
Tonight Ben called me from Bostons airport while waiting for a flight to Ramstein and then to Kuwait and so on, but on the flight from Kansas to Boston the plane was airborn and the pilot made an announcment....
"Ladies and Gentlemen we have 15 heros on our flight that are going to serve our country in IRAQ....Please give them a hand and show them we care"

A thundorous applause went thru the jet and made 15 young men very happy to say the least.
Then a lady went thru the plane and collected cash to buy them all dinner at the airport in Boston.....They came out with almost $900 and each guy got about $60 , Ben had surf and turf in Boston and was ready for a nap....The flight to Germany is in the air now and I have faith that God will protect them all.
Please remember our soldiers and those who have given everything for our Freedom....

God bless them all....

Chas

**Yoda** · 04-20-07, 07:45 AM

That Great to hear Chas

.

Bud

**75corvette** · 04-20-07, 08:36 AM

I would like to thank your son for his role in keeping America Free. You must be very proud of him. To serve his Country is one of the most unselfish acts one can do for others. To me he is a Hero, and has joined the ranks of all our heroes who have served our country, for without them this nation would not enjoy the freedom we sometimes take for granted. God Bless your son and all the sons and daughters of our Armed Forces throughout the world, keep them safe and bring them home soon.
Joe V.

IVAN · 04-20-07, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by 75corvette

I would like to thank your son for his role in keeping America Free. You must be very proud of him. To serve his Country is one of the most unselfish acts one can do for others. To me he is a Hero, and has joined the ranks of all our heroes who have served our country, for without them this nation would not enjoy the freedom we sometimes take for granted. God Bless your son and all the sons and daughters of our Armed Forces throughout the world, keep them safe and bring them home soon.
Joe V.

chas = i can't say it any better than this!!!!!! GOD BLESS

**XLR8** · 04-20-07, 10:15 AM

Chas,

God bless and keep you all... and especially Ben!

Thanks for sharing the story... the pilot and passengers made MY day too!

Jane Ann

**VetteLuv** · 04-20-07, 11:09 AM

God speed and best wishes to Ben while he's "over there".
May his guardian angels take good care of him, keep him from harm, and not have to work too hard at it.

Give him my "Thanks" for doing what so many others won't do.

If only all of our guys & gals had such a great send-off as those on his flight.....

And Chas, here's my support for you and the rest or your immediate family who will be anxiously waiting at home for Ben's safe return. I've "Been there - done that" - and have the gray hair to prove it.

Bruce
A proud Air Force dad who's son has been "outside the wire" in both Iraq & A'stan - and will be going "over there" again in a few months.

**Chas** · 04-20-07, 12:11 PM

Thanks all, like I said, it has been more difficult than expected. Wednesday evening I found myself looking for someone to talk to about what I was feeling inside. My father listens , but I dont hear his replys......(Jane Ann, we thought the same thing too!)
I ended up on the phone with the base chaplin and talked for an hour or so. I told him about Ben graduating basic training as an Honor grad and then on transfering to Ft. Riley, receiving the ARMY Achievement medal from base command at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma, an I also told him of the heart that drives my son, his care for his fellow man , his love of family and country. His respect of our nations honor....
He was very young and in many ways very helpful, ending our conversation with a promise to find Ben in the morning before he left to tell him how proud his Mom and Dad were of him and how much they loved him.... no parent had done yet what I did and it touched him to know how we feel.
On the way to the airport Ben called Theresa and told her about the chaplin pulling him aside and telling him that story.
It really made him feel good and he understands how proud we are of him.
Thanks again for keeping them all in your thoughts and prayers.....
Charlie and Theresa

**Chas** · 04-23-07, 07:34 PM

We had a video phone call with Ben today before he turned in for the night.

Hes in Kuwait for a few more days and then on to IRAQ....Theresa was in tears to see him but it was all happy so its good.

Technology is amazing

Chas

**GerryLP** · 04-23-07, 07:45 PM

Chas,

That's one of the best stories I have heard in a while now, and as a citizen, I give you (and your loved ones) and your son my thanks.

You and your loved ones, for you must all endure such a unenviable and frightful experience, and to Ben for having the courage and fortitude to place himself in harm's way on behalf of a grateful nation.

**SPANISHVETTS** · 04-24-07, 04:54 AM

Originally Posted by GerryLP

Chas,

That's one of the best stories I have heard in a while now, and as a citizen, I give you (and your loved ones) and your son my thanks.

You and your loved ones, for you must all endure such a unenviable and frightful experience, and to Ben for having the courage and fortitude to place himself in harm's way on behalf of a grateful nation.

I can not add any more to what has been said; Thanks!

Chas, tell Ben to come to Rota* for his R&R and I will grill him the biggest stake and lobster that he can eat.

*It is easy to get here from Iraq on the MAC flights. We have about 15 - 20 C5s pass through every week.

**Chas** · 04-25-07, 01:49 PM

Thanks Gerry, I know that you speak from experience...

Spanishvetts, if he gets a chance to "time out" and go your way, I will hook you two up....

Many Thanks,

Chas , Theresa and the gang

**Chas** · 04-26-07, 07:19 PM

He made it to Camp Liberty in Baghdad today and called us to say he was ok and ready to go.....
Thanks for keeping them all in your prayers.

Chas

**Chas** · 05-02-07, 06:50 PM

We talked today....he was in camp Falcon doing more training and then back to camp Liberty.They go every where at this point by chopper, he said it was really cool to fly in one finally....
He said that they have American fast food there in the mess hall for the soldiers and an internet "cafe" for those who have wifi....$4 a day gets you online but you need your own laptop, fortunatly he took one on advise from a friend.
Hes homesick already but his confidence level is very high and he is ready to go....

~Chas

**Chas** · 05-17-07, 07:15 PM

Last night Bens unit was on patrol in search of the 3 missing G.I.'s and there convoy took on sniper fire, he is a gunner on a Hum-vee and was waiting to return the favor, but they couldnt get a fix on the target, so it was just time to listen to the pop in the distance.

He got the first package from home including a MAXIM magizine and pepperoni rolls from his favorite bakery. When I told the guy I was sending them to IRAQ, he took the to his Mom and she blessed them before he gave them to me, asking that if possible to have Ben take a photo of him having it and they would put his photo on the wall of the resturant.
Then a lady behind me in line asked me to Thank my son for his service.

~Chas

**XLR8** · 05-17-07, 08:53 PM

Glad to hear Ben is doing okay Chas. I'm sending him my prayers and good thoughts too.

I stopped at Subway for a sandwich today and saw a young female soldier. She was nibbling a sub and studying books and notes she had spread all around her table.

On my way out I paused long enough to shake her hand and thank her for her service. The smile and gratitude in her face were nice to see. I told her to stay safe and take care.

God bless all our troops.

Jane Ann