SwiftVets.com

JannDallas · Seaman Joined: 26 Sep 2004 Posts: 166 Location: Dallas, TX

I volunteered today at DFW with the USO to help with Thanksgiving dinner for our troops passing through, most being deployed back to Iraq or Afghanastan. The Gaylord Texas donated and catered the whole event. The Gaylord Group is part of the Opry Hotel chain. I have to you that the food was absolutely incredible. Real turkey and dressing and every kind of side you could imagine. I helped bring the pumpkin pies around and visit with our troops. We probably served about 300. Most of them seemed to be in great spirits and many were very touched at all the fuss that being given to them. I had tons of hugs and a few tears and so many expressed how moved they were at all the support they were getting from the people everywhere. It was one of the best days I have spent in my life. I just wanted to share how grateful our troops are to have the people, many of them are involved in the Swifties, support them and many said they actually felt our prayers at night. I'm gonna go get a hankie now. It's my turn to cry.

LewWaters · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 2:46 am Post subject:

Jann, I can tell you that your efforts were very much appreciated and won't soon be forgotten. It's people like you making the efforts you do that makes memories of service to our country stick out in our minds several years from now.

Thank you for making today special to our in transit service members.
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Clark County Conservative

wwIIvetsdaughter · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 2:53 am Post subject:

Jann, how did you find out about this opportunity? I'd rather do that next year and make Thanksgiving memorable for our fantastic military! Very Happy

GenrXr · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 3:56 am Post subject:

Thank you for sharing this great story of your volunteer time Jann.
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"An activist is the person who cleans up the water, not the one claiming its dirty."
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Founder of Conservative Philosophy

JannDallas · Seaman Joined: 26 Sep 2004 Posts: 166 Location: Dallas, TX

Actually how I found out about it was accidental. I called the USO to see if they I could bring hams up and drop off so the guys would have something good to eat while waiting to fly out. They told me about the event and told me I was welcome to come and help out. So I brought Honey Baked Hams up on Wednesday and dropped them so the guys who were flying out they wouldn't miss Thanksgiving because of the flight time.

It was really a nice time. The guys seemed to be in very good spirits. DFW is one of the two hubs that the guys fly into and out of. The other one is Atlanta. Then they disperse and get home to where ever they need to go. We have about 300-400 guys or more troops flying in and out of DFW each day.

GenrXr · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 4:28 am Post subject:

JannDallas · Seaman Joined: 26 Sep 2004 Posts: 166 Location: Dallas, TX

Just wanted to let you know, the soldiers made comments on how well they have been treated at DFW. This is not the meal with served or the USO, this is airport traffic. The guys and girls told me that people stopped them to thank them very often. I was also told that when in line to purchase a McDonalds burger or coffee or whatever, strangers have picked up their tab.

I know there are a few jerks out there, but overall it seems like they are getting wonderful treatment, so don't you worry about your sister. By the way, there were two tv cameras out there and I think the Star Telegram did a report for the paper, just haven't gotten to look for it yet. And Daryl Ankarlo was out there and helped host the thing. I don't know the details for those out in the DFW area, he is going to have a fund raiser or something like that for the children and families of the guys in service or otherwise killed or injured. I'll post here when I get more details. It may be just bring a toy type of thing, but I'll post here.

msindependent · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 1:31 pm Post subject:

The people at the DFW airport are great, no worries there.

GenrXr · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 4:57 pm Post subject:

My sister flew out of Chicago. Texas is pretty unique in that certain behaviour just isn't permitted and never has been. I imagine no problems for anyone in uniform flying out of Bush Intercontinental or Dallas Fort Worth.
_________________
"An activist is the person who cleans up the water, not the one claiming its dirty."
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Founder of Conservative Philosophy

Sgt-Keeper · Seaman Apprentice Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 96

Jann,
From an old vet who had a much different homecoming, thanks for taking the time & volunteering. Those troops will never forget your efforts. I really enjoy reading about the other random acts of kindness. We can, and do, make a difference.
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Fix the problem, not the blame.
USMC E5 Nam vet 65-66

MSeeger · Seaman Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 174 Location: Katy, TX

You stated your sister was flying to Germany. Well, Germany is very anti-American, and very anti-Iraq war, so I'm assuming that their commanding officer was talking about what the reaction to the uniform would be once they landed in Germany.

I don't think we'll see much of that over here, except maybe in the blue states. But then again, it is now the new fashion to automatically go around thanking tmembers of the military for their service...regardless of whether the person means it or not.

Maria
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Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Gal. 6:7