Last week I was in Atlanta, GA attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I had ever seen.

Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their comas. As they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the sliders, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line for us everyday so we can go to school, work, and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women, a young girl, not more then 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said “hi.” The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. They young soldier, he didn’t look old than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and asked what her request was. Suddenly, the little girl grabbed the neck of this solder, gave him the biggest hub she could muster then kissed him on the check.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and has been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter missed her father, the young solder began to tear up. When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.