FanStory.com - The Honor Flight of My Lifeby John Cranford

I know what you're thinking. He's a veteran of the Vietnam War and he took an honor flight to visit the Vietnam Memorial in Washington. You would be wrong. Yes, I am a Vietnam vet, but this story is not about me or my service.

It was about 6:30 in the evening on a Thursday, a few years ago. I had just returned from a business trip on a flight from Houston to Birmingham. Unfortunately, my luggage didn't make the flight. They told me my bags would arrive on the next flight at around 8:30 pm.

I settled in for a two-hour wait. As I was waiting, I noticed a group forming in

the airport lobby. The group kept getting larger and larger, which was unusual for the Birmingham airport on a weekday.

I decided to ask a woman who appeared to be in charge what was going on. She said it was a welcoming party for the returning World War II Veterans Honor Flight. Noticing my grey hair, she then asked if I were a veteran. When I said yes...Vietnam, she paused, then said, "I'll be right back." She returned, handed me a dog tag emblazoned with the American flag, a pencil engraved with "#1 USA Soldier" and said, "Thank you for your service." I placed them in my briefcase; and as she was leaving, she turned around and said, "Would you honor us by helping us welcome the veterans home?" I said, "The honor would be all mine."

The flight arrived about 10:30 pm and the veterans and their sponsors began to file through baggage claim. I joined the line of people standing and applauding. The veterans looked tired but proud. It had been a long day since their journey began before sunrise. Some were in wheelchairs being pushed by their sponsors; others walked unassisted as if they were marching in step. It was an unexpected and unbelievably moving and humbling experience for me.

I got the chance to shake the hands of several members of the "Greatest Generation" and thank them for what they sacrificed for me, our Country and our freedom. I'll never forget the opportunity I was given to pay my deeply felt respects to some of the finest men of our times...with humility... from one veteran to another.

The dog tag now adorns the replica of the Vietnam statue in my bookcase, along with the pencil, both of which occupy places of high honor in remembrance of that day.

God places us in circumstances we never could imagine. I truly believe He placed me in that particular place, at that particular time, for that particular purpose...to honor those who are so deserving.

God will touch our lives in the most unexpected ways and at the most unexpected times. Don't expect Him to show up in any certain way...just expect Him!