As I walked in the airport I never expected to cry for strangers. I was in the Salt Lake City airport on August 27th 2007. Excited to be going home a day early from being away to work in Wyoming for the week. It was my dad’s birthday and I would be seeing him soon.
I was a couple of hours early for my flight, so I decided to go to the gift shop to look around. As I turned the corner, I saw some soldiers in the store. I wanted to talk to them but was no sure how to approach them. I looked around the shop, and stepped out and was checking the soldiers and their families when I heard a little girl crying. I looked over and saw her with her Army dad, big brother? I don’t know? I started to tear up; the war in Iraq had not been so real to me until this time. Sure I have seen it on television, the news, etc. But have not witnessed anything like this before.
I stood there a while longer when I noticed three Army soldiers standing together talking. I am not sure if they had family there or not. I finally gathered up the courage to walk over to them and ask, ” Are you coming or going?” “Going” one of them said, he could not be more than about twenty-three or four. Nervous, and not sure how to ask what their unit was, I stumbled over the question, and telling them I would like to pray for them while they were gone. The three collectively tried to explain that they were 145th battalion, under the 181st division. (I think) I know they were 145th tied to the 181st; I may not have the battalion/division right. I just said I would pray for the 145th and 181st.
I thanked them for serving our country and all they did, and said bye. I stepped back towards the shop and observed some more. I saw three ladies with a soldier saying their goodbyes, girlfriend, mother, sister, aunts, I am not sure again. I was tearing up again and walked toward my gate. Later I remembered I had not asked them how long they were scheduled to be gone. As I was sitting at the gate waiting for my plane, I saw the soldiers head into the walkway toward the jet. I saw the three ladies again, this time they were looking out of a window closer to me watching their loved ones pull away from the terminal. Once again, I gathered up my courage, walked over to them and explained that I would be praying for their 145th guys and girls and would like to know how long they were scheduled to be gone. Nine months they said. They appeared surprised at first, and then kind of smiled. I thanked them and walked away.
