Good People
Team Kirkuk 2008
I was deployed to Iraq twice. The flights to and from required stops for refueling. Bangor Maine was always one of them. Then there were stops either in Ireland, Germany, Italy and then Kuwait or in the case of my first trip to Iraq, Romania. Romania and Kuwait were memorable because of that was the where we stayed for weeks before going to Iraq. Shannon Ireland was not memorable because of the vast quantities of Guinness we consumed on our way home. Germany and Italy sadly were just a couple of hours spent at airports. I will always remember Bangor, Maine.
The plane stopped there it to refuel before or after crossing the Atlantic. The door of the aircraft opened and we got off either nervous about where we were going or weary having just returned. What I wasn’t prepared for the first time I landed in Bangor were the people. The good people of Bangor Maine, greet every military flight to or from Iraq or Afghanistan. No matter the time, no matter the weather. When that door opens and you walk into they airport they are there. Many of them are Vietnam Veterans, their spouses, their family members. Many are residents of the town or surrounding area. They clap for, hug, shake hands with, in some cases cry, for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. They will sit with you in the airport cafe or give you some space if you need that more. I am sure that some prayed with service members and I am sure that all of them prayed for service members.
There was no talk of politics. No talk of religion. I don’t remember anyone picking or choosing which type of service member they wanted to support. They were there for all of us. None of the other stuff mattered. They were and are good people trying to make a difference in a small corner of America.
Today is the last Saturday in July. For the last 16 years a bunch of people, of all different faiths, creeds, religions, political stripes and ethnicities etc. got up this morning. They put on sneakers and clipped papers with numbers to their chests. About 3000 people of them, give or take. They, had the weight of numerous donors behind them as they crossed the starting line for the Red Sox Foundation’s Run to Home Base. The Run raises millions of dollars annually to provide veterans and their families access to the care they need. I give a little money each year because I believe in the cause. “It’s” as any good sequel would say, “personal”. Not just because I a veteran, but also because for the last 16 years, my good friend Cheryl has run the race.
The world is full of good people. People who put the needs and welfare of others ahead of their own needs, their politics, their views. Some of them gave me hugs, pats on the back, handshakes and a little company in airport in Maine. Today thousands of them ran a footrace for guys like me. That’s the type thing that reminds me that my faith in my fellow man isn’t wasted or foolish.
https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/event/2025-run-to-home-base/