An Act of Kindness

I often read or hear of "Acts of Kindness" towards our servicemen and their families. There have been a number of times when someone sends an E-mail regarding those "Acts of Kindness" when I'm at work in my cubicle. They bring quick tears to my eyes and I have to do all I can to actually try not to cry as I try to read the article and hope no one comes into my cube. It brings such overwhelming feelings and warmth to my heart to hear these wonderful things. I hope they continue and our citizens keep realizing the sacrifices our service men and women give to our country so we may have our freedoms.

In hearing of these stories, etc. I also think back regarding "Acts of Kindness" that me and my fellow Vietnam Veterans may have received. I would love to be able to say we too were met with those "Acts of Kindness" but know that is not the case. In thinking back, I can only remember one.

I arrived back in the states on Thanksgiving night and finally ended up at San Francisco International Airport around 11:00 p.m. My flight was scheduled to leave for Omaha at around 9:00 a.m. the following morning. I spent the entire time walking the terminal - back and forth. I would see other service men who just returned doing the same. Little conversation took place, just an acknowledging look as we passed. Only once did I speak with a returning GI when he asked if I was old enough to rent a car so we could leave the airport. I do not ever remember speaking with a civilian. And I was scared and lonely for those I left behind. My thoughts were more of them than seeing my family the next day.

The next morning I boarded the plane and as I was walking down the aisle of the plane I saw an older lady who I would be sitting next to. "Shit" I said to myself, she is going to bitch at me as I smoke on this flight I thought as I got closer to my seat. When I got there I sat down and soon the plane took off. I don't' think the wheels were off the ground when she lit up. Relief. I lit up and took that long needed drag of my cigarette. After we reached our flying altitude the "Stewardess" started to serve lunch and we just had ours served. The older lady next to me spoke for the first time and asked me where I was going and I told her home. She asked where I had been and I said Vietnam. She said something to the effect of "Welcome Home" and then cut her meal in half and put it in my plate on the tray. She said that I really needed this meal more than she did.

You know, I don't' think she said much of anything else nor did I. But I will never forget that "Act of Kindness". To most this may seem a small and somewhat insignificant. I thought of it as nice and was actually embarrassed by it at the time. But as time went by I came to realize to me this is a major "Act of Kindness" from a complete stranger and probably the only one I ever received on returning to the World. I will always remember her and that day.