I sometimes just write for the fun of it and not just about things to stir up a stink. I actually saw much of the following account while waiting for my son to arrive from his fifth trip to "Sand Land" in the Middle East. I felt it would make a poignant anecdote reflecting the feelings I was having at the time.
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Observations in an Airport
The airport was crowded, in the early hours of the morning even before the rising of the sun. The check-in lines were packed with those waiting to obtain their boarding passes and others attempting to get their tickets while still more heaved their bundles and bags onto the weight scales. Many of those checking in were in the military, in full camo, carefully making sure their baggage met the criterion for the airline and would be acceptable to load. Once secure, they grabbed their carry-on backpack and slowly aimed their booted feet for the departure gate, each one with a far-off look in their eyes.
Among those seated at the departure gate, was an Air Force Captain with many ribbons decorating his tunic and what could be assumed to be his teen-aged daughter sitting next to him, but with her arms folded in defiance and a gaze in any direction but his. He continued to quietly talk to her and she responded curtly with short answers or nods of the head. Apart from them, was an airman and wife, each looking at the other with moist, red-rimmed eyes, speaking softly and tensely holding hands. There was an airman, a Tech Sergeant, with his wife, their son, their mothers and fathers all sitting together along with her sister. There were brave attempts at light humor at various subjects, but with undertones in their glances and looks filled with apprehension against some unseen element. The man’s son, about ten years old, sat next to him and constantly held on to his father, his attention only temporarily interrupted by a garbled announcement on the PA system. The man’s father was in his late sixties and wore proudly a cap proclaiming his past service as an Army veteran. His look toward his family was one of knowing concern and of caring for the events soon to unfold which would affect them all. There were also several single young men and one young woman, all in their uniforms, some obviously for deployment overseas and others merely to another stateside assignment. Their demeanor was contrasting according to which one was headed where. Those dressed in their blue uniforms were bound for stateside duty and sat quietly alone, but together, some pretending to take naps while others read or checked their email on their laptops. They wished to have little contact with those in camo, knowing their brothers and sisters in uniform were headed to a far worse place than they, and thus, they respected their needed solitude. These brave young people were alone in their thoughts, but when questioned, spoke evenly and respectfully with each other about their homelife and what was being left behind. One had his computer and was listening to his music with his eyes closed, trying not to look forward, but back to those safe and familiar things soon to be replaced with the unknown.
Another family arrived consisting of a Staff Sergeant, his wife and young son of only eighteen days, and his mother and father. They sat comfortably across from each other, the airman holding his son in his arms, speaking to him in hushed tones so only his son would hear. The wife sat next to him, clutching his arm and looking silently and lovingly at both of them. He too was dressed for deployment and held himself in confidence and professional bearing. This deployment was to be his fifth to the Middle East in the past fifteen years. Occasionally, the infant would make hungry noises and insisted on his bi-hourly meal, prompting his mother to discreetly provide for his needs. The family seemed relaxed, but with practiced complacency faced the advent of their son and husband departing for duty in a place far from home.
Time passed, slowly at first but also seemingly speeding up to the moment for the announcement to be made for boarding the airplane. The civilians in the room looked ruefully at those in uniform, likely thinking and wondering where these fine young people were headed; but, knowing the worst of places was likely their lot. As the hours and then minutes pressed forward, the various family members and, in fact, all those waiting seemed to become more animated in their voices and actions. A sense of nervousness could be felt and voices began to break in conversation. Eyes became moist and small tears began to form in the corners. Most attempted to wipe these away without drawing attention to the act, but failed in their efforts. Suddenly, the announcement by the flight attendant boomed over the loudspeaker ordering the plane to board according to the sequence indicated on their passes.
The Captain was among those to board first and stood, still speaking to his daughter who tried to ignore him. Finally, with a shrug of his shoulders, he turned toward the gate. Suddenly his daughter bolted from her seat and screamed, "Daaddyyy!" She hurried to him, hugging him with all her might, sobbing and saying, "Daddy, I do love you. I do not hate you. I could never hate you. I love you. I love you. I love you." The Captain, smiling as well as one can with tears held in reserve, held her and comforted her and told her he would be back home as soon as he could. It would not be long. An older woman then came and gently led the girl away as her father disappeared through the gate, the daughter following him with her eyes, swollen and red.
The next group of passengers were called and most of those left stood. Those without anyone to say goodbye to simply walked to the gate with their heads down and shoulders dropped, obviously dreading what was ahead, but facing it with dignity. The airman and his wife rose and faced each other without words, but tearfully held on to one another as tightly as possible, unashamed in their devotion and emotion. The wife followed her husband as far as she could and stood alone with her hands to her mouth, openly sobbing for she terribly missed her husband already. The Tech Sergeant and his large family headed toward the gate, each holding hands and arms with others and the son hugging his father tightly. He had so far been strong, holding back the tears, but in these last moments, he could no longer restrain himself. He began to cry and then even harder, tears flowing down his cheeks; the family watching helplessly lest they themselves join him in his sorrow; the father hugging his son even more, speaking words of encouragement and hope. The sergeant’s father, the old man with the cap, surreptitiously slipped on his sunglasses in hopes no one would notice the tears also in his eyes.
One of the last was the Staff Sergeant and his family. The father gathered each of his family around, each holding on to the other, and softly offered up a prayer to the Lord for his son’s safe return and His strength to hold the family together in his absence. The mother wept softly as did his son’s wife as she held their infant son. The father’s voice cracked and broke just enough for him to pause in his prayer and compose himself before continuing. The prayer concluded, they headed for the gate and their final good-byes. As the parents stood off, they silently watched as the son and his wife kissed and hugged and he spoke a few last words to his new son he was leaving behind, each exhibiting great courage in their final moments. Too quickly, he was gone and the family slowly turned to each other; without words, they somberly sought the exit along with others who were left behind by their son, husband, or daughter, each desperately attempting not to allow themselves to think this may be the last time they would be seen whole in both body and spirit. And, seeing their sorrow, God wept…