Page 114 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2020- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

The Heroes

Among Us

by Jody Boudreaux Wilson

n small clusters we gathered, clutching 4x6 US flags, history in the making, and my husband Ted was recording
balloons, and homemade signs announcing, “Welcome the memory.
IHome, Grandpa!” and “You Are Our Heroes!” The
inaugural Veterans Honor Flight of Lubbock was delayed Near the luggage carousel, a reporter from the Avalanche
due to mechanical problems. Munching cookies and Journal stepped up to Papa with a pad and pencil in hand
drinking coffee, we settled in to wait. for an interview. Papa was the only “hump pilot” in the
group. Ted’s camera caught that moment. We turned
Young mothers shifted the weight of small children from to see the mayor of Lubbock, Glen Robertson, who had
one hip to the other. Men in cowboy boots and jeans accompanied them on the flight, a bag over his shoulder
waited eagerly for those who had fought and won a war and a pull along. He stopped to talk and pose for a
and then returned to their lives as if they had done nothing picture with Papa. He said, “I was whining about my feet
at all. being tired, and I suddenly realized that these guys of the
‘greatest generation’ have forty years on me. They never
A hush fell over the estimated one thousand people who quit and never grumbled. So, I shut my mouth.” We had a
waited shoulder to shoulder to hug their heroes and take good laugh…that is who they are.
them home. Haunting notes of a bagpipe and the staccato
beats of a drum drifted through the airport. Then we A giant wave of emotion swept the crowd. Tears glistened
caught sight of the proud musicians in kilts, marching with and grateful hearts were riveted on the remarkable group.
great pomp and dignity. Our hearts lurched as we spotted David and Linda True.
David took the trip in honor of his dad, S.M. True, who
Behind them walked our weary servicemen, guardian was scheduled to be on this flight. But after having coffee
family members, and team members who had paid their with Papa and some of their buds, S.M. went out to work
fare for an opportunity to serve during this three-day, on the farm and was killed in a farm accident.
two- night tour of Washington, D.C. With smiles as big
as Texas, their eyes twinkled as they scanned the crowd I spotted a widow in the crowd whose name I can’t recall.
gathered in their honor. Her husband, booked for this flight, had died, but there she
was, cheering for everyone else.
We spotted our Papa, Elton Wilson, an expression of
delight on his face. People reached out from the crowd to The veterans wore red shirts for the flight home, red to
shake hands and say, “Thank you!” I raised my flag to him, remember those who never rejoined their loving families.
hugged him and said, “Welcome home, Papa. We missed
you so much. You have more family here,” and swept my Often, we are overwhelmed with negative news of crimes,
hand to the right. His expression lit up as he embraced a manipulation, and deception. But now, more than ever, I
daughter, a son, two grandsons, a granddaughter-in-law, am convinced that there are heroes all around us, men and
and a great grandson who will turn two this month. It was women to honor and love. We live in the house with one.
It doesn’t get any better than that.

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