6/9/2007
So it goes forward
American Soldier says,
I sat in the terminal waiting for my flight to be called. My wife and I enjoying our last moments together. I remember them clearly and all the emotions involved. It was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Across from us was a couple the same age as us. Holding each others hands and enjoying the moment. For me it was getting ready to leave my life forever. For them it was an over due vacation. He had returned from the war earlier that year and he and his wife were going home to family. He asked me if I was coming or going? I told him I was going. A common phrase that is often shared when traveling. Sort of like the nod you get when you know someone else is a soldier. The quiet respectful gesture. We got to talking and it wasn’t very long before we started to share similar interests and commonalities. If I wasn’t leaving I would of befriended this couple. At one point he reached into his wallet and pulled out a four leaf clover. It was laminated but had a worn look to the exterior. He told me he got it from another soldier before he left for Iraq the year before. He wanted to give it to me and said that sometimes luck is all you’ll ever have. I gladly accepted and thanked him. The time was drawing to an end so my wife and I spent those precious moments by ourselves. When it was time to go I thanked him again and shook his hand. The rest of that story is for another time.
Fast forward to last week and I was sitting in the same airport, terminal and row of seats in fact. A soldier who had that fresh from Iraq tan came and sat down next to me. He was quiet and was just looking at the ground. Some folks looked on and went about their business, reading their papers, etc. Some people looked at him trying to not catch his attention. A few minutes had gone by and I turned to him and asked if he was coming or going. He looked at me and said he was heading back. Fresh off his two week leave, he was heading to his unit to finish his duty. We exchanged small talk, just two soldiers talking about nothing really. I was on my way out on business. The time was drawing near and my plane was ready to go. I reached in my wallet to check if I had some cash or if I needed to hit the ATM. The edge of the laminate that held the four leaf clover scratched my finger. I looked at it and smiled for a moment. The memory of that day all came back in an instant. I pulled it out and looked to the soldier and told him that I was given this last year before I left for Iraq and that I made it back despite being wounded. Sometimes luck is all I ever relied on over there. I told him that I would like him to have it and said that this would be at least the 3rd trip for this clover. He gladly accepted it. The call came for my plane to board and I stood up and shook his hand. I smiled and shook my head slightly. He smiled back and understood. I grabbed my bag and headed off.
Wherever that soldier is tonight I hope that I in some way I have brought him some luck and that clover continues to make it’s way into other soldiers hands. Paying it forward is always better than simply paying it back.
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17 Responses to “So it goes forward”
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You have a wonderful ability to express much more than is written. Thank you for what you have endured, and sacrificed for our Country. I have been a frequent visitor to your site, but this is my first time to write back. Please continue with your inspirational communique’s, I am truly appreciative.
Once again your words humble me. The chit chat we engage in the airport is some of the most meaningful I ever have, usually. Traveling through Chicago earlier this year, a Marine tried to give BG the flag off his uniform b/c she was so in awe over it. I wouldn’t take it and I think it may have embarrassed him. Instead I told him to keep it and remember our family; in essence we had given it back to him to remember us by. He shook my hand and Sgt’s and blew BG a kiss. We wished him well as we left to board our flight. Sgt. smiled at him with the “nod.” I gave him a hug and had a tear flow. BG threw out her best southern “BYEEEE” and we all left knowing we had touched each other in some way. I’ll never know what that young man endured on his journey but I only pray he is safe and that every time he touches that patch he’ll think back to those of us who admire him.
The clover has not only had at least its third trip to Iraq but it is the beginning of a legacy and I hope brings others the same type of comfort it gave you. You have an amazing spirit and touch those all around you and those of us are who are so far away.
It is you my friend, and those like you, who remind me the spirit I should strive to keep.
That gave me goosebumps! Thank you for your service, sacrifce and bravery for our country. God bless you!
That is tooo darn cool! **goosebumps***
You know…. with some imagination that could make an interesting book, you know? the story of the clover and the lives it touches along its journeys to and from war……
/back to reality
Who knows where that clover will end up next? That is just too cool.
(hugs) to all.
Beautiful. Thank you. What an amazing story!
AS,
Thanks for that. Like the others have said that is so touching and great! You made that soldier feel so much better by giving him that four leafed clover. He just needed some encouragement and hope and you gave it to him right there, just like the other soldier who gave it to you helped you I’m sure! God Bless!!
Web Reconnaissance for 06/11/2007…
A short recon of whats out there that might draw your attention….
Your heart and soul speak more than words ever could, but your ways and your words…they’re awesome.
Love,
The Butterfly Temptress
Its the little things that mean so much. A small touch, a handshake, a thank you, even a lucky clover.
We are so use to the big things we forget sometimes how important the small things really are.
Thanks for a moving story AS.
this is a wonderful post
Thank you,
Patti
This is such a powerful post! Thank you!!!
What a wonderful story!! And you passed the clover on in the same place that you received it!
Such a simple act, yet one that might never be forgotten.
Happy birthday, and thank you for your selfless service and sacrifice. Thank you for understanding and living the Warriors Ethos:
“I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. And I will never leave a fallen comrade.”
If only more of our Congressional leaders had served in the Army, and had learned the nobility of selfless service and sacrifice, and what it means to “never accept defeat; to never quit”.
Are you currently deployed to Iraq? I’m sort of confused. Are your posts part of a memoir or current events? I read your “About” page but couldn’t figure it out.
In any case, your story about the clover was very sentimental.
Thanks!
it made me think that you helped a lot of man in iraq
I love this story, AS. I wonder if you’ll ever know the full story of the clover- all three trips; all three Soldiers it traveled with. I’m with Kat though- this would make a fantastic book even if you don’t ever find out the whole story!!
Thank you so much for sharing that story!
And that song ~ I’ve been looking for it. I only heard it once and didn’t catch the name.
It’s pretty much what I try to get through to the clueless around here. Most don’t even know we have quite a few young men and women in the military from their area. Boggles the mind.
You do good, AS!