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Yesterday, I felt like an ass... confession.
Thankfully, the internal thought process didn't get vocalized, so no one knew what was going on in my head, because then that might have made it unforgivable...
I was travelling home for work - they had me in Frankfurt last week. So, I get to the airport, and I'm going thru security into the area set aside for US departures (segregating these gates makes it easier to comply with restrictions for flying over US air space, as far as I can tell...).
And, I watch a couple come thru who have _way_ more stuff in hand then you are really supposed to fly with. They've got multiple bags each, a big teddy bear, a poster tube, and a bunch of other things. And a _lot_ of it is all in red, white and blue. Patriotism is a good thing, but sometimes it can come off a bit over the top when in a foreign country, especially to that level - it really made them visually stand out. The woman also has an acu print purse with her, with an "army mom" tag on it, and a bunch of unit patches.
It was a bit like watching the embodiment of the annoying american tourist, with a military connection added in. In my head, I wanted to point out the various security concerns with being that visibly connected to the american military, especially when in a foreign country...
I didn't say anything, because it really wasn't my place to do so, and we were in the process of leaving said foreign country, so saying something now would not have had much impact. But in my mind I was shaking my head at all of it.
And then, I saw their water bottles. Labelled with "Army Fisher House". And I realized the both of them were a bit out of it, and obviously dealing with some emotionally heavy things. Suddenly, the teddy bear and blanket started making sense... And I was really glad that I had only internalized the thoughts I had earlier. Obviously this was a couple with more important things in mind than how to best pack their gear...
I hope to never have to use a Fisher House, but I am very glad they exist.
Re: Yesterday, I felt like an ass... confession.
I did offer to help them with their bags in the baggage claim area. (someone had commented on the carry on bags out loud as we were deplaning, and they mentioned bringing home a bunch of their son's things, as he was in ICU...) I figured if they had a bunch of things, and if they were fully packed duffels, they might have been pretty heavy to haul off the baggage belt.
It opened up a short discussion - I had mentioned I recognized the water bottles, and mentioned my husband was active duty. Turns out their son was in a motorcycle accident, and was still in the ICU, but the prognosis was that he was improving, and he had already been evacuated to a medical center in the US a day or so earlier - I think to San Antonio. They were on their way there.
They turned down my offer of assistance. So, I told her I'd keep their family in my thoughts, and figured I'd give them their privacy back. I hope their son's condition continues to improve.
Don't feel bad! It could have been anyone. I am patriotic in my own special way (prior military, married to military, but freelance for a women's liberal peace organization that does lots of anti-war work). But even so, over-the-top patriotism looks contrived to me and, quite frankly, a little ridiculous.
That said, the Fisher Houses do amazing work and it sounds like they were just loved up on by military folks.
I agree with this. And it was really thoughtful of you to offer to help them with their things.