Take a "Pittance of Time" on Veterans Day 2008
I was on the Tarmac at Al Asad Iraq in 2006 with about 20 other Marines in a helo stick awaiting a ride to one of the western FOBs. As you might imagine the airfield was extremely busy with activity. There were aircraft moving everywhere. I remember multiple helicopters, 2 or 3 F-18s and a C-130 moving in our general vicinity. You couldn't hear anything. All of us had on full combat equipment, packs etc.
All at once every aircraft on the entire airfield came to a complete stop. The noise was still deafening because the engines were on, but there was no movement except rotor blades and a covered 7-ton truck moving toward an the Air Force C-130. The C-130 had just parked and lowered its ramp.
A Marine from the ADACG, responsible for getting us loaded on the our helo, pointed. We watched as the Air Force Air Crew came off the back of the C-130 and formed an honor guard. We automatically got into formation and waited as several Marines came off the back of the 7-ton. There were no commands given. None were needed. Every Marine on the airfield, whether standing like us or seated in a cockpit saluted as a flag draped coffin was carefully lowered off the vehicle and slowly carried onto the C-130.
After the Air Crew lowered their salutes and boarded the aircraft we came to order arms and got back into our helo stick (line). The 7-ton drove off the airfield, but nothing else moved. Every aircraft remained into position while the C-130 taxied into position and took our brother home. Within five minutes I was in the air enroute to accomplish my mission. As busy and important as every mission was that day, nothing was as important as that mission. I will never forget that day as long as I live.
An Aussie Army buddy sent me the below Canadian video by Terry Kelly called a "Pittance of Time" in tribute to their veterans. It is a fine tribute to all veterans and should cause all of us to pause and salute this Veterans Day.
This video uses Terry's song "Pittance of Time" and honors our Marines and U.S. Military. It will always be the greatest honor of my life to have served among such men. Please stop and take a moment to remember. (WARNING - this video has graphic content)
All at once every aircraft on the entire airfield came to a complete stop. The noise was still deafening because the engines were on, but there was no movement except rotor blades and a covered 7-ton truck moving toward an the Air Force C-130. The C-130 had just parked and lowered its ramp.
A Marine from the ADACG, responsible for getting us loaded on the our helo, pointed. We watched as the Air Force Air Crew came off the back of the C-130 and formed an honor guard. We automatically got into formation and waited as several Marines came off the back of the 7-ton. There were no commands given. None were needed. Every Marine on the airfield, whether standing like us or seated in a cockpit saluted as a flag draped coffin was carefully lowered off the vehicle and slowly carried onto the C-130.
After the Air Crew lowered their salutes and boarded the aircraft we came to order arms and got back into our helo stick (line). The 7-ton drove off the airfield, but nothing else moved. Every aircraft remained into position while the C-130 taxied into position and took our brother home. Within five minutes I was in the air enroute to accomplish my mission. As busy and important as every mission was that day, nothing was as important as that mission. I will never forget that day as long as I live.
An Aussie Army buddy sent me the below Canadian video by Terry Kelly called a "Pittance of Time" in tribute to their veterans. It is a fine tribute to all veterans and should cause all of us to pause and salute this Veterans Day.
This video uses Terry's song "Pittance of Time" and honors our Marines and U.S. Military. It will always be the greatest honor of my life to have served among such men. Please stop and take a moment to remember. (WARNING - this video has graphic content)
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