What a busy, tiring, fun trip we had! I left Tammy with the intention of going home to gather up the kids and get back as soon as possible to continue helping her. We diligently watched for a military hop (read: free flight) to our preferred Stateside destination and when one finally popped up over a weekend we headed to the airbase to try to get on it. Having never flown in a military plane we were anticipating "bare bones", but had no idea what fun we were in for! We sat in jump seats that lined the walls of the plane and faced pallets piled high with mysterious cargo. The planes are so loud that earplugs are handed out before the engines start warming up! Our only view of the world below was a small window in each of the two doors at the front of the plane. We came prepared with fleece blankets and big German pillows which definitely came in handy. Once the plane was at cruising altitude we were able to spread out on the spacious walking path and play or sleep. The girls thought it was great to sit on the floor and play with Polly Pockets and color!
The little boys killed time watching a couple of movies on a portable DVD player and A and K had fun talking with some of the retired military people/couples on board. "A" really gets a kick out of "old people" and struck up a couple of friendships with retired servicemen who were openly impressed with our goofy man-child. One of the gentleman suggested we ask the flight Load Master if the pilots would let the kids go up to the cockpit. What a great suggestion! That turned out to be the highlight of the flight for the kids. They were able to go up, two at a time, to visit with the pilots while we were flying over the Atlantic. "A" thought it was a hoot that the pilots were playing online games with each other while the Autopilot did its thing. And "K" disappeared a couple of times to go up and just hang out with the young hot shots!
Another of K's highlights on this flight was the friendship she struck with the older couple sitting next to M. He was retired military and she's a German national. She was such a loving and doting wife; it was just precious to watch them together. During one of their conversations K complemented the woman's bracelet. The woman asked K if she knew what it was, and K said that it was a Rosary bracelet with pictures of the Divine Mercy. This sweet little lady then took it off and handed it to K and told her she'd like for K to have it as a reminder to pray. K was very touched by such a kind and personal gift!
The little boys killed time watching a couple of movies on a portable DVD player and A and K had fun talking with some of the retired military people/couples on board. "A" really gets a kick out of "old people" and struck up a couple of friendships with retired servicemen who were openly impressed with our goofy man-child. One of the gentleman suggested we ask the flight Load Master if the pilots would let the kids go up to the cockpit. What a great suggestion! That turned out to be the highlight of the flight for the kids. They were able to go up, two at a time, to visit with the pilots while we were flying over the Atlantic. "A" thought it was a hoot that the pilots were playing online games with each other while the Autopilot did its thing. And "K" disappeared a couple of times to go up and just hang out with the young hot shots!
Another of K's highlights on this flight was the friendship she struck with the older couple sitting next to M. He was retired military and she's a German national. She was such a loving and doting wife; it was just precious to watch them together. During one of their conversations K complemented the woman's bracelet. The woman asked K if she knew what it was, and K said that it was a Rosary bracelet with pictures of the Divine Mercy. This sweet little lady then took it off and handed it to K and told her she'd like for K to have it as a reminder to pray. K was very touched by such a kind and personal gift!
2 comments:
Oh my goodness!! Got on to check your blog and there are 5+ additions since Saturday!! WOW!!!
I had no idea you guys had never been on a military hop before!! Are you sure about that?? ha ha ha What troopers you all were. I'd probably have felt too claustrophobic with all those things around me!
This is the kind of flight we took when the airways were finally opened again after 9-11. We were in Guam. We were able to get back to Yokota on 9-14, and boy, were we glad. We had waited an hour and a half to get back on the base, then had to wait for several hours until a plane was approved to go. We had just a few minutes' notice from the time they decided they were flying until we were strapped into those oh-so-comfortable seats. The whole fam fell fast asleep. The world had changed forever, and I was 7 months pregnant. I was glad to have POG on the discman (pre iPod days). Good times.
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