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What an amazing evening with this wonderful young man!
Michael is in the US Army, with the 1st Infantry out of Fort Riley KS. Michael was on his 2nd deployment in Iraq with the Black Lions (Yeah, Marc, he is in Jordan’s unit!). The Black Lions deployed in Feb of 2007. Michael’s vehicle hit an IED on March 26, 2007. He suffered serious wounds to both legs with numerous broken bones and muscle damage. Michael was healing very well and getting around when, a short time ago, he was coming down some stairs and his right knee gave out. He tumbled down a flight of stairs re-breaking an ankle and seriously wrecking his knee. Both leg were recasted and has left him wheelchair bound for the time being.
The spirit of this young man is truly amazing! It was truly a heartwarming, rewarding experience to spend a few hours with him. It is so very difficult to put into words exactly the feelings that I have about last evening. In the 2 plus years I have been involved in BSM, I do have to say that this one event is probably the most rewarding thing that I have had the privilege to take part in.
It was a evening of many things that I am so thankful and grateful for. Debra, the director at the Armed Forces Center at the airport, did an incredible amount of work to ensure that we would be able to have access to get in the airport. (Unlike what we have been led to believe, only family members of military personnel can get gate passes) Debra contacted the director at Continental Airlines (Michael’s flight) and explained what we wanted to do. She paved the way with the airlines to allow all five of us moms to get gate passes. That resulted in all of the Continental staff (including the mid air flight staff) to learn about Michael and they were all on their toes in providing for everything Michael should need. This includes his flight from here to Idaho (home) and then on his return flights back to Fort Riley in a month. Debra truly went the extra step and she wants the BSM to contact her again should this kind of case come up again.
We arrived at Michael’s gate, awaiting his arrival. All the ticket staff at the gate already knew about him and had a wheel chair waiting. Then a gentleman approached us “You all are the Moms waiting for Michael”. This was Bob, the head of TSA Security at the Mpls airport! This man, truly went above and beyond with the service and attention he gave to not only us, but to Michael all evening long. Every time we turned around, Bob was there! Smile! Bob personally escorted Michael the plane and then walked with us down to the main concourse. Michael wanted a smoke, so Bob showed us were to exit and then instructed us and his staff that when we came back, we were to go through “employee” security and were allowed to cut to the head of the line.
We then went to dinner at a nice restaurant there in the airport, Ike’s. Really nice, white linen and all. Our waitress, Michelle, was awesome. She is a BSM herself, her son on an Army veteran. After we ordered our drinks and then dinner, suddenly another beer appears for Michael. A gentleman and his wife sitting behind us, hearing our conversations (like 5 moms and a soldier are exactly quiet!), purchased a drink for Michael. We all thanked him and in the process a young mom, with 2 little boys, seated across from us, came over and thanked Michael for his service and thank us moms for our children. Ok, by now there are a more than a couple tears around our table.
Michael told us about his 6 yr old daughter, Michaela (spelling) and his wife, Crystal (correct me ladies if I got that wrong). Michaela is the most beautiful little girl with big brown eyes. They live about a half hour north of Boise Idaho. Michael was a star athlete in high school and loves to fish & be in the outdoors. He did end up dropping out of high school (to which Pattie whapped him in the back of the head, like any mom would! LOL! That was SO funny!) and joining the Army to support his family. He loves the Army and he loves what he does. He would make any mother proud.
Suddenly, our friend from the TSA, Bob, appears. First, he hands Mikki her driver’s license and gate pass that she had left at the security station. Mikki is stunned, first that she forgot it and then we are all stunned that Bob found us in the back of this big restaurant! Guess you can’t get away from the TSA at the airport! Bob then asked Michael if he could see his ticket for Boise. Bob looks at it and then starts ripping it up. Of course, Michael is a bit taken aback. Bob then handed him a ticket that had been upgraded to first class! Ok, so now there are more tears on our faces. Michael is just grinning, saying that he has never been in first class and how great this is going to be!
Michelle comes and starts taking plates away. The young mom across from us stands up to leave and again thanks us all. Michelle then comes back to take more plates away and says “By the way, that lady that just left, she just picked up your entire bill!” OMG! There were 6 of us and this was not a cheap place. In the airport nothing is, but a cheeseburger in Ike’s is like $16.00! This wonderful woman paid it all!!! Now there are even more tears! Michael was really blown away. He said something like, I am not anyone special. I am just doing my job.
We had a little over an hour before his flight and he wanted another smoke before he got on the plane. So back outside we head. As we are walking out through the employee security area, all the TSA agents are checking with Mikki to make sure she has her ID. It was just too funny for words! Did the smoke thing and headed back in, again letting us cut to the head of the line. We get through security, of course, all the agents questioning Mikki if she has her ID. LOL! And there was standing Bob, the TSA guy.
Bob said that we needed to head to the gate as Michael would be boarding first, so away we went. We get to the gate and then the tears really started. It was like saying good bye to my own son. It was very emotional and lots of hugs all around. Michael said that he would like to come back for a visit some time and do some fishing here in Minnesota. Of course, we assured him that he would be welcome to come back at any time! We took some pictures with Michael and Bob and then waved good bye as Bob wheeled Michael onto the plane. Bob came back to the ticket counter and grabbed a Kleenex, dabbing his eyes and telling the ticket agent “He’s a really sweet kid.”
Bob then walked all us moms back to the security exit. More hugs and thank yous for Bob. We really had a great evening due in large part to Bob and all his assistance. He told us that if this type of opportunity should ever come up again, to please contact him and he would do everything he could to make it as special as this time with Michael was.
I have attached a couple pictures to this email.
Michael Anderson is a wonderful young man and a great soldier. I am truly blessed to have met him.
God bless you all!
Cindy
Michael is in the US Army, with the 1st Infantry out of Fort Riley KS. Michael was on his 2nd deployment in Iraq with the Black Lions (Yeah, Marc, he is in Jordan’s unit!). The Black Lions deployed in Feb of 2007. Michael’s vehicle hit an IED on March 26, 2007. He suffered serious wounds to both legs with numerous broken bones and muscle damage. Michael was healing very well and getting around when, a short time ago, he was coming down some stairs and his right knee gave out. He tumbled down a flight of stairs re-breaking an ankle and seriously wrecking his knee. Both leg were recasted and has left him wheelchair bound for the time being.
The spirit of this young man is truly amazing! It was truly a heartwarming, rewarding experience to spend a few hours with him. It is so very difficult to put into words exactly the feelings that I have about last evening. In the 2 plus years I have been involved in BSM, I do have to say that this one event is probably the most rewarding thing that I have had the privilege to take part in.
It was a evening of many things that I am so thankful and grateful for. Debra, the director at the Armed Forces Center at the airport, did an incredible amount of work to ensure that we would be able to have access to get in the airport. (Unlike what we have been led to believe, only family members of military personnel can get gate passes) Debra contacted the director at Continental Airlines (Michael’s flight) and explained what we wanted to do. She paved the way with the airlines to allow all five of us moms to get gate passes. That resulted in all of the Continental staff (including the mid air flight staff) to learn about Michael and they were all on their toes in providing for everything Michael should need. This includes his flight from here to Idaho (home) and then on his return flights back to Fort Riley in a month. Debra truly went the extra step and she wants the BSM to contact her again should this kind of case come up again.
We arrived at Michael’s gate, awaiting his arrival. All the ticket staff at the gate already knew about him and had a wheel chair waiting. Then a gentleman approached us “You all are the Moms waiting for Michael”. This was Bob, the head of TSA Security at the Mpls airport! This man, truly went above and beyond with the service and attention he gave to not only us, but to Michael all evening long. Every time we turned around, Bob was there! Smile! Bob personally escorted Michael the plane and then walked with us down to the main concourse. Michael wanted a smoke, so Bob showed us were to exit and then instructed us and his staff that when we came back, we were to go through “employee” security and were allowed to cut to the head of the line.
We then went to dinner at a nice restaurant there in the airport, Ike’s. Really nice, white linen and all. Our waitress, Michelle, was awesome. She is a BSM herself, her son on an Army veteran. After we ordered our drinks and then dinner, suddenly another beer appears for Michael. A gentleman and his wife sitting behind us, hearing our conversations (like 5 moms and a soldier are exactly quiet!), purchased a drink for Michael. We all thanked him and in the process a young mom, with 2 little boys, seated across from us, came over and thanked Michael for his service and thank us moms for our children. Ok, by now there are a more than a couple tears around our table.
Michael told us about his 6 yr old daughter, Michaela (spelling) and his wife, Crystal (correct me ladies if I got that wrong). Michaela is the most beautiful little girl with big brown eyes. They live about a half hour north of Boise Idaho. Michael was a star athlete in high school and loves to fish & be in the outdoors. He did end up dropping out of high school (to which Pattie whapped him in the back of the head, like any mom would! LOL! That was SO funny!) and joining the Army to support his family. He loves the Army and he loves what he does. He would make any mother proud.
Suddenly, our friend from the TSA, Bob, appears. First, he hands Mikki her driver’s license and gate pass that she had left at the security station. Mikki is stunned, first that she forgot it and then we are all stunned that Bob found us in the back of this big restaurant! Guess you can’t get away from the TSA at the airport! Bob then asked Michael if he could see his ticket for Boise. Bob looks at it and then starts ripping it up. Of course, Michael is a bit taken aback. Bob then handed him a ticket that had been upgraded to first class! Ok, so now there are more tears on our faces. Michael is just grinning, saying that he has never been in first class and how great this is going to be!
Michelle comes and starts taking plates away. The young mom across from us stands up to leave and again thanks us all. Michelle then comes back to take more plates away and says “By the way, that lady that just left, she just picked up your entire bill!” OMG! There were 6 of us and this was not a cheap place. In the airport nothing is, but a cheeseburger in Ike’s is like $16.00! This wonderful woman paid it all!!! Now there are even more tears! Michael was really blown away. He said something like, I am not anyone special. I am just doing my job.
We had a little over an hour before his flight and he wanted another smoke before he got on the plane. So back outside we head. As we are walking out through the employee security area, all the TSA agents are checking with Mikki to make sure she has her ID. It was just too funny for words! Did the smoke thing and headed back in, again letting us cut to the head of the line. We get through security, of course, all the agents questioning Mikki if she has her ID. LOL! And there was standing Bob, the TSA guy.
Bob said that we needed to head to the gate as Michael would be boarding first, so away we went. We get to the gate and then the tears really started. It was like saying good bye to my own son. It was very emotional and lots of hugs all around. Michael said that he would like to come back for a visit some time and do some fishing here in Minnesota. Of course, we assured him that he would be welcome to come back at any time! We took some pictures with Michael and Bob and then waved good bye as Bob wheeled Michael onto the plane. Bob came back to the ticket counter and grabbed a Kleenex, dabbing his eyes and telling the ticket agent “He’s a really sweet kid.”
Bob then walked all us moms back to the security exit. More hugs and thank yous for Bob. We really had a great evening due in large part to Bob and all his assistance. He told us that if this type of opportunity should ever come up again, to please contact him and he would do everything he could to make it as special as this time with Michael was.
I have attached a couple pictures to this email.
Michael Anderson is a wonderful young man and a great soldier. I am truly blessed to have met him.
God bless you all!
Cindy
THANK YOU BLUE STAR MOMS!