Reach out and touch someone

I loved this article.
It's not about fighting wars that aren't correct. Neither is it about crushing infidels. It's all about how some people are determined to make a difference with the strength of their warmth and affection.

A planeload of US Marines, heading to Iraq, files in line to board. She strives to hug all 263 of them. "See you on the way back," she tells them. "Kay, let 'em go," shouts a fellow volunteer at the front of the queue. "You're holding up the line." But the 90-year-old hardly notices that, either.

Ms. Lebowitz is a member of the Maine Troop Greeters, a community group that has dutifully gathered at this tiny airport in central Maine since May 2003. At the close of this night last Tuesday, the group had tallied 1,403 flights, filled with 260,927 men and women in uniform.

Of the dozens who show up regularly, many are veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. But local residents with no formal military connections like Lebowitz have joined their ranks, too. They assemble whether it's morning or midnight, whether an important figurehead is in town - like Bill Clinton, who appeared this month - or whether there are more greeters than soldiers scheduled to arrive.

How wonderful it must be for these lucky few, out of the millions who've fought wars - to go off and know you are not alone. Or to come home (home!) and find yourself welcome.

You think that the MasterChief is retired Navy makes me compassinate? No, not really. I just feel that humanity's not all that god-forsaken after all. Sort of restores my faith, a wee bit. Like warm fuzzies.


Just a smidgeon, mind you. Heh!