Zurg
<font color=red>Eivl <font color=navy>Emperor<br><
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2002
- Messages
- 2,760
Next to our office there is an Army Reserve unit.
They were deployed today for the middle east.
They are a civil affairs unit.
There was a send of so I went over. The PA Governor, Philly Mayor and Norristown Mayor were there. A bunch of family and the troops - men, women all races.
They had a sign on the wall: Soldiers First/ World Class Civil Affairs Next
After the speeches and about 15 minutes before they left on busses I went back to the office and made a PA announcement that if anyone wanted to go see them off they were about to go. My boss (a cool woman) was a little more aggressive encouraging people to get out. She is the big boss of the building so it was her way of saying work could take a break.
We passed out flags for the anniversary of 9/11. Most folks still had them on their desks. So we grabbed flags and went out. One lady said she wished she had a peace sign, but she took her flag.
So the troops rolled out in busses and we waved and cheered. There was a very elegant and composed African American woman with her little son - maybe 2. I gave him my flag. As the busses pulled out the lady broke down into tears. She will not see her husband for at least a year.
The little guy tried to wipe his mom's eyes. So I gave her a big hug and told her how much we all appreciated her husband's and her service. There were about 30 of us from the bank. I kept my arm around her and walked her back to her husbands new truck. I offered her a private office if she wanted a few moments to regain her composure. We talked and after a bit she didn't need the office.
She has a tough row to hoe so do all the other families seperated but national service. I hope knowing other folks appreciate her family's commitment helps.
My friend who wanted the peace sign was out having a smoke later in the day and I walked by. She was touched by how I had reached out to the woman.
I said it was just a reflex and we got to talking about how we can reach out to the troops from next door and let them know their neighbors care. Send the local stuff etc.
At some point it isn't about politics it is about supporting the hard things some of our fellow citizens are doing because they are soldiers first.
They were deployed today for the middle east.
They are a civil affairs unit.
There was a send of so I went over. The PA Governor, Philly Mayor and Norristown Mayor were there. A bunch of family and the troops - men, women all races.
They had a sign on the wall: Soldiers First/ World Class Civil Affairs Next
After the speeches and about 15 minutes before they left on busses I went back to the office and made a PA announcement that if anyone wanted to go see them off they were about to go. My boss (a cool woman) was a little more aggressive encouraging people to get out. She is the big boss of the building so it was her way of saying work could take a break.
We passed out flags for the anniversary of 9/11. Most folks still had them on their desks. So we grabbed flags and went out. One lady said she wished she had a peace sign, but she took her flag.
So the troops rolled out in busses and we waved and cheered. There was a very elegant and composed African American woman with her little son - maybe 2. I gave him my flag. As the busses pulled out the lady broke down into tears. She will not see her husband for at least a year.
The little guy tried to wipe his mom's eyes. So I gave her a big hug and told her how much we all appreciated her husband's and her service. There were about 30 of us from the bank. I kept my arm around her and walked her back to her husbands new truck. I offered her a private office if she wanted a few moments to regain her composure. We talked and after a bit she didn't need the office.
She has a tough row to hoe so do all the other families seperated but national service. I hope knowing other folks appreciate her family's commitment helps.
My friend who wanted the peace sign was out having a smoke later in the day and I walked by. She was touched by how I had reached out to the woman.
I said it was just a reflex and we got to talking about how we can reach out to the troops from next door and let them know their neighbors care. Send the local stuff etc.
At some point it isn't about politics it is about supporting the hard things some of our fellow citizens are doing because they are soldiers first.
That was an awesome thing to do my friend....and a great example of what we as "just regular citizens" can do to help...there are "needs" all around us if we open our eyes to see. Thanks Zurgy....you're an inspiration to us all.
