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 comments section today!
“Bert Brady said,
March 19, 2007 at 9:33 am ·
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”
Thank you so much for commenting here! I wish that I could do the same for our soldiers returning here. I so admire you for your dedication to our men and women in uniform!
Bert is an inspiration.
Wow! I read that post you did. How cool that he found you and came by. I’ve had a couple of people over time comment on posts I’ve done… it’s kind of an honor isn’t it?
Keep up the good work.
He is that, M*A!
Malinda, I couldn’t believe it when I saw his comment! I just love it when that happens and it’s definitely an honor!
I’ll keep doing my best!
That’s impressive. I remember the video on the news.
I was so happy to get a comment from him, TWD! How are you doing?!
wow !
what a wonderful man…
and thanks to you ANNA, i know him in a way…
best wishes.
Thanks, Brooklyn! It really is cool when the person you post about comments!
Just goes to show you that a kindness never ends with one act… it travels, sometimes around the world. So happy for you and Bert. Good things come to good people.
Andrea
Thanks Andrea!
I looked Bert up on the net the other day and gave him a call to thank him personally for the work he’s doing. I’m a Vietnam Vet and I know the value of his endeavors. He’s everything that the film clip shows. More Bert Bradys in this world would pull us all together. He’s definitely following the “Great Commandment” and a seat of honor awaits him in the next world. Bert……..thanks for taking a moment out of your day to talk to me!
Gene in Tennessee
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting! I think Bert and all those who are physically meeting our soldiers at the airport to welcome them home are awesome! I wish that I could do that as well!
You’re right, there does need to be more like him…
Since I posted my comments on March 19, I have received a letter from President Bush, 5 Generals, a Representative of Congress, our Texas Governor and several Texas State Legislators. Out of all these letters, the one I cherish most is one not addressed to me but addressed to the USO and passed on to us. It verifies that our Greeting line does indeed help those with war related problems.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
Yesterday a friend of mine sent me a video clip from ABC News coverage of your welcome home program. As I watched it I couldn’t help but sob as all of the memories flooded back on my trip through Dallas about a year and a half ago on the way home for R & R from Afghanistan. At the time, I was so shocked, surprised and overwhelmed as I had never heard of this and it came totally unexpectedly. There is simply no way that I can describe your impact on my adjustment.
I have many memories from my year over there. Some fond, some horrible, a few maybe even repressed a little. But, the day I walked off that plane and into your arms will always be one of my most treasured.
I would like to say thank you, but there are no words that suffice. I just hope that you receive a blessing like the one you give.
Bert, thank you so much for sharing that with me and my other readers. I hope that it inspires others to show their support for the military. Thank you for what you do and thank you for showing all of us what true compassion means!