Bert Brady

« Wednesday Hero – 02/14/07 A Valentine

A Daughter’s Duty »

Bert Brady

February 16, 2007 by Anna

Someone who cares…(tissue alert!)

A very big thank you to Trish who sent me the link to ABC for this story!

About these ads

Posted in Heroes, Patriotism, Video | 61 Comments

61 Responses

on February 16, 2007 at 1:31 pm | Reply Debbie

I think that is wonderful what your doing. My girlfriend emailed me the video where you were named man of the year and well deserved.
on February 16, 2007 at 3:17 pm | Reply Gawfer

Incredible!

Definitely obsconded! Thanks Pal, and thanks Trish for finding this.
on February 16, 2007 at 6:31 pm | Reply Anna

Have at it, G! I didn’t see it because I don’t watch regular broadcast TV, but it’s surprising how many other people didn’t see it even though it was on ABC!
on February 17, 2007 at 11:28 am | Reply yankeemom

Made me tear up! Now that’s how it should be ~
on February 17, 2007 at 12:17 pm | Reply Anna

Glad you enjoyed it, Debbie!
on February 17, 2007 at 12:18 pm | Reply Anna

Did the same to me, Yankeemom!
on February 17, 2007 at 6:10 pm | Reply Mary*Ann

I think it’s interesting that everyone I know that has seen this….saw it on the internet…and not on ABC. Hmmmm. Needs a tissue alert though!
on February 17, 2007 at 7:30 pm | Reply Anna

Sorry, M*A! Forgot all about the tissue alert! Yes, you’re right, everyone that’s seen it, saw it on the internet and not on the broadcast.
on February 24, 2007 at 10:54 am | Reply douglas Kelley

This is awesome!!!! How do I start this in our community??

Thank You.
on February 25, 2007 at 11:56 am | Reply Christopher

I was in the Air Force and stationed in Germany during the Gulf War. When I returned from the Gulf to my duty station, there was a crowd of people waiting for their loved ones. Since I was stationed overseas, my family was still in the states. I picked up my bags and walked past everyone whose eyes were on the the soldiers behind me. (looking for their own) Got in my car and drove home. That was the loneliest feeling that I’ve ever had. When people like Bert Brady take time out of their day to welcome troops home, it means more to the troops than words can explain. I think that it is a feeling that only a soldier can comprehend. God bless you, Mr. Brady and all of those with you. In my eyes, it is people like you that American servicemen and women volunteer to go fight for.
- on August 12, 2009 at 8:54 pm | Reply Lila Gay
  
  Christopher,
  Then this is far overdue but, Christopher, I wish I had known that you were coming home that day. I’d have been there. We appreciate your sacrifice and that of your family who worried for you every day that you were gone. Thank you for doing what you knew that you had to do so our nation could have the freedoms that we enjoy. You are a true hero and we love you for it. Thank you.
on February 25, 2007 at 12:55 pm | Reply Anna

Douglas, just grab some of your friends and head out to the biggest airport near you. If you know someone with one of the airlines, find out from them when there are usually troops coming home. Other things you can do…when you see a soldier, thank him/her…if you see one in a restaurant, pay for their meal, a drink, dessert, or just say thank you…visit your local VFW hall…join Patriot Guards, Any Soldier, Adopt-a-Platoon, Soldiers’ Angels, the USO. Going to the airport to wish them a Welcome Home is awesome, but if you’re in an area like I am where the airport is a good distance away, you can always do the other things. All support makes a difference!
on February 25, 2007 at 1:00 pm | Reply Anna

Christopher, THANK YOU for your service! I am so saddened that you were not met with welcome when you came home! Please know that I and many others so truly appreciate your service and wish that we could be there for each and every one as you come home or to write to you or send packages. I cannot explain my love, respect and utter awe of the military, I just know that I am very, very thankful that there are men and women like you willing to put your lives on the line for the rest of us. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
on February 25, 2007 at 7:33 pm | Reply Christopher Britt

Thank you Anna for your kind words. It warms my heart to know the appreciation that is felt by all who we fight for.
on February 26, 2007 at 7:38 pm | Reply Anna

Many of the people who visit here feel as I do, Christopher. I’ve tried hard to create a military friendly blog where all veterans, currently serving and those thinking about joining can feel welcome! Anti-military types find themselves booted very quickly!
on February 28, 2007 at 3:04 pm | Reply Marie

I can’t begin to tell you how I admired you for greeting our soldiers. My dad always said the WWII soldiers were never welcomed home. It is a wonderful thing that you are doing. God bless you.
on February 28, 2007 at 3:05 pm | Reply Marie

I can’t begin to tell you how I admired what you are doing for the soldiers. God bless you.
on February 28, 2007 at 4:47 pm | Reply Anna

Thanks Marie…Bert is a good man!
on February 28, 2007 at 8:12 pm | Reply Maureen

God bless you, Bert Brady. My son graduated basic training (Army-Ft. Sill) earlier this month. He is going through AIT right now. Although he has not been deployed overseas yet, I’m sure his time will come. I am so thankful that people like you are in this world and your kindness and thoughtfulness are truly appreciated.
on February 28, 2007 at 8:58 pm | Reply Anna

May God keep your son safe, Maureen! Thank you for raising such a son!
on March 1, 2007 at 4:12 pm | Reply Mark

You represent the kind of man others wish they could be. Your unselfish dedication to others is to be commended. You’re a true American hero.
on March 1, 2007 at 4:29 pm | Reply Anna

I completely agree, Mark! Thank you for coming by…
on March 4, 2007 at 8:17 pm | Reply Jennifer

I wish to send Mr. Brady my thanks for his unselfish act of kindness and love. I thank him for my 2 sons who are now serving in Iraq – I wish this was happening at our local airport where I have seen other servicemen and woman get on and off flights – with only their family giving them the praise and honor they deserve!
on March 5, 2007 at 12:51 am | Reply Anna

Jennifer, first and foremost, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the sons that you have raised! May God bless them and keep them safe!

I wish that I had information for how to get a message to Mr. Brady, but the only thing I could suggest is to contact ABC via e-mail or letter. They may forward it.
on March 14, 2007 at 4:39 pm | Reply Scott

I recently saw a clip of what Bert Brady has been doing welcoming the troops back from Iraq and it brought tears to my eyes! Its a rare thing what bert has in our wolrd in our time when no one has the time of day for most bert has took it upon his self to go to the airport and welcome all our boys and girls back home. Here in the UK we have OBE’s and the like, I dont know if you have the same thing in the states but someone should give one to him. All the best Bert!
on March 14, 2007 at 7:53 pm | Reply Anna

I think Bert should be recognized through more than a news segment as well, Scott. Best to you.
on March 15, 2007 at 12:22 am | Reply Bob

I dont know what to say buy it made me shiver,God bless you and our troops !!!!!!!!!
on March 15, 2007 at 11:22 am | Reply Anna

I’d have to agree, Bob! I definitely had tears in my eyes watching it!
on March 19, 2007 at 9:33 am | Reply Bert Brady

Thank all of you for the kind comments concerning my trips to DFW in support of the Troops which was shown on ABC’s Person Of The Week. I am not an eloquent speaker and was so fortunate to have been able to have chosen words which obviously touched so many lives.
About 6 months ago I read an article by Dr. Joyce Brothers in which she stated that roughly 20% of Military return to us with psychological problems. Many have had to kill someone or have been involved with IEDs in which another Soldier was killed or terribly wounded. I have often thought of how I would feel if I had accidentally killed someone in an automobile accident and have come to the conclusion that I probably would be affected for the rest of my life. I can only imagine how I would feel if I had had to kill another whether it be in combat or otherwise. I have tried to mentally put myself in the shoes of a returning Soldier who has psychological problems and I can not help but believe that when he comes through our line such a reception helps him in his readjustment by at least by 5%. That, simply, is the reason I can not stop going to the airport in support of the Military. We owe them so much.

Bert
on March 19, 2007 at 10:06 am | Reply This is GREAT! « A Rose By Any Other Name

[...] (Heroes, Patriotism, War on Terror) A little while back (2/16/07) I posted a YouTube video about Bert Brady and his trips to the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport to greet the soldiers, well, this is what was in my [...]
on March 19, 2007 at 10:07 am | Reply Anna

Mr. Brady,
Thank you so much for stopping by here. I am so glad that you were able to read all the wonderful comments I’ve received about your story! I know that your trips to the airport mean so much to our returning men and women in uniform and I only wish that I could do the same.

Again, thank you for coming by!
Anna
on March 22, 2007 at 1:12 am | Reply FrauBudgie

Anna, awesome! Yes, a real tissue alert …How special that Mr. Brady dropped by ….

And, Mr. Brady, thankyou from ALL of us …
on March 22, 2007 at 10:56 am | Reply Anna

He’s a great guy and it was very cool for him to comment, Budgie!
on March 25, 2007 at 11:42 am | Reply Tom G

IF ONLY THE WORLD WAS FILLED WITH BERT BRADY’S
on March 25, 2007 at 12:21 pm | Reply Anna

I’ll second that, Tom G!
on April 4, 2007 at 2:07 pm | Reply kffln

Bert is a great guy! I am one of the people that he says comes out on the weekends. Bert is a representative of many hard working people that are dedicated to the same cause that Bert is a part of at the airport. Without the total support of the DFW Airport and the airport board none of this would be possible. There is a cadre of volunteers that were there before and after Bert that have worked tirelessly to ensure that every soldier, sailor, airman and marine gets a welcome they will not soon forget.

So when you say Bert is a hero, or deserves a medal, there are a lot more people that are the collective Bert that have to be included and are there with Bert providing the services that our real American heroes receive when they pass through the DFW Airport.

I would like to thank all Americans that have given there first class seats to a returning soldier, or the people that stand up and clap as a group of soldiers pass through the airports of America.

We here at DFW Airport are a microcosm of the feelings of all Americans that our soldiers deserve to feel special for the freedoms they protect for us daily.

If you are interested take a look at http://www.welcometroops.com for a look at the other parts of that collective Bert that I talk about above. There people are showing not only there Texas Pride but the Pride of America and the American sprit.
on April 4, 2007 at 2:10 pm | Reply Nancy Shields

I have two brothers deployed right now. All I can say is I hope Bert Brady is at DFW the day they come home, so he can hug them before I tackle them with hugs! He is a great guy, and I wish everyone in the country had his work ethic. My dad came back from Vietnam to people spitting on him, so I thank the good Lord for Mr. Brady. May God bless you and all those wonderful people out there with you Mr. Brady!!
on April 4, 2007 at 5:38 pm | Reply Anna

kffln, thank you for the link. I do appreciate each and every one who supports our men and women in uniform! I know that I can’t thank our military enough. I think people are just so enamored of Bert Brady for the simple fact that he is one of a VERY few people who have actually been acknowledged by the MSM. I thank you for all you do to support the troops, too!
on April 4, 2007 at 5:41 pm | Reply Anna

Many heartfelt thanks to your brother, Nancy! May God keep them safe so that they can come home and be tackled by you with hugs! If I see a vet with a Vietnam tag on their car or a cap that states Vietnam, I will make even more of an effort to thank them. Those guys (and gals) got a raw deal and I don’t ever want any of our men and women in uniform to go through what they did (though sadly it is happening to some).

Thanks again, Nancy!
on September 12, 2007 at 8:39 pm | Reply Terry & John

Bert,

God bless you. What you are doing is beyond words. I certainly never received any kind of welcome (John) when I came home from VN. Thank you so much, Sir, you are an officer and a gentleman. Terry and I are both VETS living here in southern Florida. We, because of our disabilities, have to spend a lot of time at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center. Please believe, your name will be a very common term within weeks. God bless you, sir.

John & Terry
on February 25, 2008 at 8:45 pm | Reply Talia Nerheim

GOD BLESS YOU! Thank you so much, you truly are a Godsend for many!
on March 1, 2008 at 11:52 pm | Reply A Soldier

It is because of people like Bert Brady and friends that restores my faith in the American people. It has been over 6 years that our country suffered its worst attack on continental soil and the military is still determined to bring justice to our attackers and would-be attackers around the globe. In past years I have seen a lot of commercials and stories, but none that brought me to tears like this one. I think it affected me more because I had a similar thing happen to me long ago. My unit was returning home December 23, 1993 from Somalia. We made a short fuel stop in Bangor, Maine enroute to Fort Benning, Georgia. We had been away from home for only 4 1/2 months, but it seemed like eternity. We all de-planed and were told to go in the Airport and hang out until called to re-board. I remember walking off the plane in the bitter cold and snow everywhere, none of us had anything warm on because we just left a dessert. Before landing, we all kept saying why did we have to land, couldn’t we just get home? We landed at some god-aweful military time like 0200 (am). At first we went through a maze of corridors and it was a ghost town. We knew nothing would be open, so we were just trying to find the nearest snack & soda machine (American junk food). We turned a corner and there was a small group of local men, women and kids standing there with signs saying welcome home and god bless you etc… I never did catch her name, but a little old lady come up to me and give me a homemade oatmeal raisin cookie and a glass of coke. Not expecting this at all, I stopped thinking about getting home because I felt like I was home, and I was for that brief period of time when the people of Bangor, Maine adopted all of us for a few hours and made us feel very special. So here’s to the folks of Bangor and all the Bert Brady’s of the USA. You are the unsung heroes that make it all worth while. It is an honor to have met you, even tough I don’t know your names. Thank you from an old Soldier and thousands more just like me.
on April 12, 2008 at 8:32 pm | Reply Wayne Grabbe USN retired

As a Viet Nam veteran, it makes me so proud and teary eyed to see the great reaction in treating our troops the way they should be treated after serving in harms way. I served from 1966-68 in the US Navy on the USS Ranger, and when returning from my second cruise, and arriving in San Francisco in 1968, people actually treated us very differently. I am so proud that Bert Brady represents all Viet Nam vets in such a special way.
Way to go Bert!
on April 13, 2008 at 5:31 pm | Reply Anna

Thank you for your service, Mr. Grabbe! The Viet Nam vets were sorely mistreated and I wish I could change that. I, for one, appreciate the sacrifice you made on my behalf!
on April 13, 2008 at 5:33 pm | Reply Anna

I want to thank everyone who has commented on this post and my blog in regards to thanking the soldiers. For those who are now or who have served, a heartfelt thank you from me for your service and many prayers for those who have lost their lives or their loved ones on the battlefield.

Anna
on May 19, 2008 at 7:56 pm | Reply Paul Hill USAF Ret M/sgt

Air traffic controller Vietnan 69-70 I want to fly in to DFW and get the welcome home I never got . Fayetteville NC
on May 23, 2008 at 8:24 am | Reply Irene White

Bert I just want to say THANK YOU!!! for the support you are giving our troops!! I am the proud Wife of a retired Soldier who served with the 1st Cav during Desert Shield/Storm and he also served with the 10th MTN during OEF. I am also the proud Mom of a Soldier and a Marine. Our Soldier is a veteran of OEF with the 10th MTN and he will be heading to Iraq this fall with them. Our Marine hasn’t been overseas yet but I know it is just a matter of time.

During Desert Storm I used to take our 3 boys to Westover AFB in Mass. to welcome the troops coming back. It definitely was an experience they will never forget. The reactions on the troops faces when they see the welcome line was priceless.

Our military personnel need all the support they can get and lets not forget the troops of OEF, which seems to have become the forgotten war.
on May 25, 2008 at 7:53 pm | Reply Anna

Paul Hill,
Welcome home (very belatedly)!! And a heartfelt thank you for your service!
Anna
on May 27, 2008 at 6:06 am | Reply bill ortega

thank you Mr. brady I am a vietnam era vetran and what you and your comrades are doing will play a big part on how these men and women will adjust. You are definitely a GOD SEND please keep up the good work. I live in El Paso Texas we are sourrounded by Holloman Air Force base,White Sands Missle Range,Ft. Bliss Army base, and Biggs field army air force bases and what I do is when ever I enter a restraunt which is at least twice a day and there are men and women in uniform at a table I call the waiter over and instruct them to bring me their ticket these soldiers always have the good manners to come over and thank me but I always take advantage of that moment to stand up and tell them “NO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE .” OUT LOUD FOR EVEYONE TO HEAR SO THAT THEY WILL REMEMBER WE HAVE PEOPLE PUTTING IT ON THE LINE SO THAT WE CAN SIT AND DISCUSS WHAT EVER WE WANT IN THIS RESTRAUNT! Bert if you read this please show it to your commarades you people are great!
on May 28, 2008 at 4:30 pm | Reply Suzanne

Mr. Brady is a true American hero and gentleman. If his kind deeds were followed by all that see this, what a better world this place would be. I, too, appreciate the sacrifice every American soldier has made and may God richly bless you all. Having lost my father in Viet Nam, it truly touched me but I have always said the way the Nam vets were treated upon thier return would have truly been the end of my father any way. He was true believe in serving his country and fellow American, a career soldier, Colonel at age 36 and flew helicopters in Nam. Thanks again and God bless all who are serving and have served. To those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, Billy Graham says you are in a much better place than we. But the young age at which so many die and the circumstances under which they die, make it a bitter and difficult pill to sometimes swallow.
on May 29, 2008 at 3:16 pm | Reply Barbara

Thank you for serving others and leading by example. THANK YOU!!!!!!
on June 1, 2008 at 8:02 pm | Reply in-awe

Wow, I am so impressed with this. I did not see on the air. I saw it today and tears came flowing. Cheers to you awesome people who are doing this for our boys and girls serving this country. What a blessing to the troops to be welcomed home in such a way.

You go Mr. Brady and friends!
on November 11, 2008 at 3:55 pm | Reply Terry Brunke

May God bless you as you have blessed so many. And thank you. As a military brat, wife and mother I cry everytime I hear your name, tears of gratitude and joy that not everyone and everything in this country is wrong.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you (can not be said enough)
on November 26, 2008 at 10:49 pm | Reply Ally F.

Bert Brady, You inspire us all! What your doing touched me. I never thought to do what you do everyday! I do not think after all the hearts you’ve touched that any soldier will ever be forgotten again, especially you! You reminded us the horror war causes, you made it through one of the toughest wars. You along with other soldiers should have been welcomed home from Vietnam. You all made it back to the USA and lived long lives. You and the other welcome homers are reminding us all to be thankful of those who fight for our freedom.
Thank You!
~soldiers will never be forgotten~
on December 3, 2008 at 5:05 pm | Reply You 'Da Man, Bert... - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum

[...] or compare them to Pol Pot, it’s heartening, especially for a Vet, to see a guy like Bert Brady. You Go, Bert. Bert Brady is an example of a great American, and I think a lot of other Americans could learn [...]
on December 14, 2008 at 12:40 am | Reply Lisa

Bert I hope you read this. THANK YOU! I have been serving in the military for 30 years and I have had some very pleasent experiences myself. I think the one thing that I will remember the most is at Dulles Airport. I was actually a driver waiting for some of our troops who were coming back from the middle east. I was standing there in uniform because I got there a little early and a little girl of about 4 or 5 was tugging on her mothers shirt. All I heard was “Can I Mommy?” I had no idea what she was asking for I just thought that she was a really very well behaved young girl. Imagine my surprise when her Mother said “Yes honey.” The little girl walked right up to me and ask me to come down to her. She then proceeded to ask me “Ma’am may I give you a kiss and a hug. I know you must be a friend of my Daddy, he is a soldier too. We just said good-bye to him he is going to the war to keep some other kids like me safe.” Well that little girl was so cute and she gave me a kiss and a hug and said “Thank you” I will never forget that day. I can not remember another day that I released so many tears. Her mother also gave me a hug and told me “Thank You for serving but most of all thank you for giving that one act of kindness to her daughter.” My God can you imagine her thanking me for being kind to her daughter. I could not even talk, I just tried to smile and shake my head at her. I have had a few that were not so nice also. The one that bothered me the most was a phone call from my son when he was in the Middle East and he told me he and his friends were scard to come home. He said all they had been seeing on the news was that there were so many protesters. Well mom kicked in then not the soldier in me. I contacted every organization that I knew would respond and ask them to send letters of support and kind wishes to him and all of his unit. It was overwhelming. I called a girlfriend who has daughters and the brownie units that they belonged to went right to work and sent the guys all kinds of great letters and support. Well it went further than that. The leaders of the brownies in Jersey got in touch with other units in El Paso and they contacted other organizations that they had worked with and had a reception waiting for the unit when they got back.
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU PEOPLE WHO CARE AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE TROOPS, KNOW THAT WE LOVE YOU AND WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT AND DEFEND YOU!!!! You will always have a place in Gods house.
on December 14, 2008 at 9:11 pm | Reply Anna

Lisa,
First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you for your service! It is the men and women like you who have kept this country free and there really is no way we can truly repay that.

The protesters can’t seem to get it through their heads that it is because of our military that they are able to protest!

Bert Brady’s efforts have really inspired many and I hope his story continues to do just that!

Thank you again!
on December 15, 2008 at 7:19 pm | Reply Amy Sanders

As a daughter of two WWII veterans, I can not thank you enough for what you are doing. You have rekindled my faith in hamanity and made me proud to be an American. We our all in debt to our unsung heroes in the military and it is so wonderful you are letting them know this first hand.

God Bless You and all others for doing this.
on December 26, 2008 at 10:26 am | Reply Earl (grandpa) Rust

The troops very much improve their morale when they know there are people other than family that know they are there and willing to give them support. We have letters from PFC to Colonel to testify to that. It is also something people do to, for all sorts of reasons. It is something former service personnel do whether they served 40 years ago or just came back from Iraq. They know how much it means to the deployed Personnel.
This story brought tears to my eyes as well as reading some of these replies.
If you would like to correspond with a deployed Marine and/or send a package of your choosing or as requested by the Marine. Go to http://www.RyanRust.com/adeoptaMarine.html
We are not a charity, we are an ordinary family with jobs and school to attend, now dedicated to supporting the troops deployed to the Middle East. We do not solicit donations, we connect people that want to support the Marines with Marines that ask to be adopted. The program got started when we began supporting a couple of family friends that were deployed 4+ years ago.
on February 5, 2009 at 5:18 pm | Reply =GZR=GoldFinger

I am all choked up, what a man Bert is! I know, how about this – BERT BRADY for PRESIDENT…… The kind of integrity this country was founded on, well thats Bert Brady. I think we could use more people like Bert in this world…Thank you Bert and thanks to ALL OUR SOLDIERS from past to present. I can never pay you back for what you have done for me and my family it is positively priceless.
on June 1, 2009 at 6:14 pm | Reply Dar

How would I find out how to do this near my area?

Comments RSS

	Lisa Coburn on Davis Grier “Deeg”…
	Tom Seeman on Wednesday Hero – 11…
	tshang on Wednesday Hero – 11…
	Shawn on Hollywood: Yesterday Versus…
	Anna on Where Were You?

A Rose By Any Other Name

Bert Brady

Like this:

61 Responses

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Good People & Places

Heroes & Homefront

News, Info & Gossip

Who’s Saying What

Who Me?

Lovely Linkage

Blogrolls

Top Posts

Archives

a

Recent Posts

Flickr Photos

Follow “A Rose By Any Other Name”