The Super 80 sitting at the gate in Dallas Fort Worth was completely filled; all 136 seats plus two jump-seaters on the plane. In ten minutes the Silver bird would push from the gate on this hot May afternoon, bound cross-country to Seattle Washington. I turn to the Captain, a civilian-trained pilot in his mid 50’s, “Hey Boss, you want to see this plane go nuts???” He says “sure,” so I pick up the mike to make a P.A., but before I do, he says “just make certain I’m not called into the Chief Pilots office to explain my First Officer.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, as a Marine Corps Reservist who has just returned from Iraq, I just want to see a show of hands, Tell me, how many active-duty Military do we have onboard right now?” I am looking back and see two hands go up. “O.K., now let me see the hands all the folks who have served in the Military or have retired.” About twenty folks raise their hands. “Now the biggie, how many parents to we have onboard whose child is serving or has served? Especially all of you Mothers out there, put your hands up.” I can see at least thirty people put their hands up now. “Ok, I’d like all of you to raise your hands again that I have called out,” They do. “Folks, I’d like you to give these OUTSTANDING Americans a big round of applause for the sacrifice they have given our country!!!”
The entire plane erupts in clapping and whistles. I turn to the Captain and say “I sure wish the media could see this. Ok, the plane is yours again, Boss, and thanks.” The clapping continued for another thirty seconds causing the gate agent to run on board wondering if a riot had broken out. This is America, and like it or not, the military has touched many lives of the folks here. I am proud to say that I am part of that big Green Machine.
Semper Fi,
Taco
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The SandGram 
May 19, 2006 at 3:21 am
Hey Taco—I didn’t know where this story was headed at first…good stuff there Taco–and good to hear from you!
May 19, 2006 at 4:24 am
Taco,
It felt goooood reading the response from your passengers!
Sam
.
.
May 19, 2006 at 12:57 pm
Wondering what you were going to say made me a little nervous:) But things like this are why so many people love you!
May 19, 2006 at 1:22 pm
WTG, Taco! Keep charging!
May 19, 2006 at 2:06 pm
Awesome, Taco!! That made my day 🙂
Remember that I owe you a beer, and a chance to go punch holes in paper circles, if you get time while here in Seattle!
May 19, 2006 at 2:06 pm
Woohoooooo! I’m cheering now.
May 19, 2006 at 2:13 pm
So frikkin’ cool!
I wish I could have seen that.
May 19, 2006 at 4:28 pm
whoooohooo clap clap clap!
Yea Taco!
May 19, 2006 at 6:27 pm
Thank God for so many “average, normal” Americans.
May 19, 2006 at 7:13 pm
OH YEAH. I want to fly on one of your flights! I’m so proud of all Marines. If you do this again and hear a “Hey Taco, ‘zat you?” from the passenger cabin, you’ll know it’s one of us!
May 19, 2006 at 9:43 pm
When greeting our Reservists at the airport, in uniform, coming back from Iraq, at Anchorage, Alaska, Airport, (they came back in waves of 10 – 25 at a time, for a whole week as they finished out-processing) – I was awed, every day, by the response of the people who were there, just carrying on their normal everyday business. Many of them took the time to stop, shake a hand, clasp a shoulder, and say “thanks for your service!”. And half of those had tears in their eyes. Every single day of that week. (We family members made sure there was a large delegation there each day, not just the soldier’s family… some of our guys are single, and some parents live in the lower 48… and not one was going to arrive without a BIG, personal welcome!)
By the time they reached Anchorage, Alaska, they had been through Maine, Houston or Dallas, LA, and Honolulu Airports….. they told wonderful stories of the welcomes they recieved. Very unnerving to the younger troops, but there was not a dry eye in the house.
Now that they have been back a year, there is not one of them who believes that they returned to a ungrateful nation. They believe the media is totally out of touch with real America, with their own agenda.
Because they have encounterd nothing but willing hands to help, counselors, jobs – old or new depending on their choices, all the help they could need. From professionals, and neighbors. Not a hand out – but a hand up.
NOT ONE of them feels abandoned, or forgotten.
Being of Viet Nam era age, may I say that my father, who wept bitter tears watching the evening news during those years, at the dishonor his fellow veterans suffered, would be so PROUD of us all….. including you, Taco!
May 19, 2006 at 10:57 pm
AWESOME WTG Taco – You’re right, that should have made the evening news!
May 20, 2006 at 3:10 pm
I too was wondering where this story was going and if there was a kilt involved.
Good on ya!
May 20, 2006 at 10:12 pm
Way to go, Taco! Wish I’d been there. Applause from here…!
May 21, 2006 at 6:01 am
Hope you are my co-pilot someday and deliver the same message. Inspiring, Sir!
May 21, 2006 at 7:39 am
Taco ~ you’re awesome! One of these days I’d like you to be the pilot on one of my flights!
– hfs
May 21, 2006 at 2:21 pm
Great idea you had and I too wish the msm would get it one day!
The VN guys got a very raw deal and we should see to it that never happens again!
May 22, 2006 at 4:55 am
Hooah Taco
Let me know when you are in Seattle and I’ll buy you a beer and a cigar!
Maxie
May 22, 2006 at 3:08 pm
You da man, Taco! Do it again and this time record it for Capt. B’s Reveille Radio.
May 22, 2006 at 3:15 pm
LOVED the story! Too bad we can’t MSM to run something like that. Not pro-military or pro-war, just a story that made you FEEL good and be proud of our military….and who wouldn’t want that? Glad you are back stateside and thanks for all that you do! I am one very grateful American!
May 22, 2006 at 3:44 pm
I second GunnNutt!!! What an excellent broadcast that would be.
May 22, 2006 at 8:31 pm
thanks for your service – my family and I owe you a debt.
May 23, 2006 at 4:10 pm
So Cool! I e-mailed my local country radio station a couple months ago to let them know that many Marines were returning to Camp Lejeune and dedicated the Lee Greenwood song “Proud to be an American” to all our military & our fallen heroes. Spread the word–we love our Marines & we love our military!
Laura, Marine mom from Ohio
May 23, 2006 at 11:20 pm
Woooooo hooooooooo, Taco!
Loved the story.
Sorry I haven’t “visited” you lately, and I will rectify that.
However, feel comfortable that I’m “taking care” of “Pinky”. *wink*
May 24, 2006 at 1:40 am
I’m one of those Americans who have been touched by soldiers like yourself – I am thankful everyday for sacrifices made so I can live in freedom. I have family members and friends who are currently serving and love to hear their stories about meeting people from different countries and the brotherhood they share with their fellow comrades. Thank you for this story!
May 24, 2006 at 3:25 am
You expect me to believe that some people in this country actually respect and honor the work our servicemen and women are doing? If that were true, I’m sure we’d see similar stories on the television and read about them in the newspapers… right?
What a touching story! Thanks for taking the time to share it with the world.
May 24, 2006 at 6:55 pm
Hi Taco,
Nice to hear yiou are once again flying the friendly skies.
Edith
May 25, 2006 at 10:20 am
Wow, what a great way to start the day — reading such a cool story from one of our finest! Thanks, Taco! Keep up the great work!
May 25, 2006 at 4:17 pm
Great post, Taco! Of course we’d expect nothing less from you, after your Iraq Sandgrams….
Anyway, I don’t fly a plane but anywhere I see an old vet or military in uniform I try to thank them for their service. Most are surprised & pleased. I’m waiting do same to the kid (oops, new Marine) from across the street who is coming home from Lejeune after recently graduating from Parris Is. The kid had a “checkered” past & I was totally amazed he turned it around AND became a Marine. Can’t wait to say an OohRah for him.
Everyone- don’t forget to get your Buddy Poppies from the vets this weekend & thank the vets that sell them.
May 26, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Hey Taco…
Was just wonderin’…
Where is Leghound these days?
Do you hear from him?
Bridget
May 26, 2006 at 6:18 pm
Awesome!
May 26, 2006 at 6:35 pm
Great post, Taco!
May 27, 2006 at 9:46 pm
Hey Taco nice story…I have to tell you that recently when I was flying American through Dallas and on to New Orleans, on each leg of the trip I looked for you in the cockpit !! I almost asked someone if they knew Tacobell but decided better not. Keep doing what you do.
May 28, 2006 at 1:43 am
What a great story! Wish I’d been there to see!
Keep up the good work and THANK YOU!
June 1, 2006 at 4:14 am
Hey Taco, this was awesome. A friends , Marine son got a great reception when he flew home. A man sitting next to him asked the passengers to give Jeremiah a round of applause and they gave him a standing ovation. As he left the plane a couple handed him a $50 dollar bill and said” son have dinner on us” we lost a son in Iraq. God Bless you & your family. Take nothing for granted ,enjoy life for we do not know what plans our creator has for us. Pat