A nice story if true.

[Capetonian]

I'm not sure how true this is, it's one of those things that did the rounds last year. A couple of inconsistencies make me wonder if it's real but there's food for thought (sorry ... pun!) here.

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat.

It was going to be a long flight from Gatwick. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read

Perhaps I will get a short sleep,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of British Army Youngsters came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me.

I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you blokes headed?' I asked the Young man seated nearest to me.

Cyprus. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan.

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that lunches were available for five pounds. It would be several hours before we reached Cyprus, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his mate if he planned to buy lunch.

'No, that seems like a lot of money for just an airline lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five Quid. I'll wait till we get to Cyprus. His mate agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty Pound note.

'Take a lunch to all those soldiers..'

She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me.

'My young bloke was a soldier in Iraq, it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten lunchboxes, she headed up the aisle to where the boys were seated.

She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked..


She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.

This is your thanks.

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane,heading for the rest room. An old bloke stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five Pounds..

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he wasn't looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane.

When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seat-belt I stood and took the Captain's hand.

With a booming voice he said, 'I was an army pilot a long time back. Once someone bought me lunch.

It was an act of kindness I never forgot.'

I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers. Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs.

A kid who looked about 18 was sitting about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five Pounds
In my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to depart.
Waiting just inside the aeroplane door was a man who stopped me, put
something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five Pounds!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip up to there training area..

I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five Pounds.

'It will take you some time to reach your training area. It will be about time for a sandwich.

God Bless You Blokes.'

Ten young blokes left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow Brits.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country.

I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

A British Serviceman is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank
cheque made payable to 'United Kingdom' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honour, and there are way too many foreigners in this country who don't understand it.'

May you have the strength and courage to pass this along to
everyone on your email mates list....

I JUST DID!

[PotentialPilot]

Very touching, Seems a likely story. Not sure in this date though. Surely it doesn't take more than several hours to get to Cyprus from Gatwick either.

I would of done the same if I had £50 to spare anyway

[Pitts2112]

A nice story but rings of one I've heard somewhere before.

snopes.com: Sack Lunches (http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/lunch.asp)

[Samuel]

I don't believe a word of it I'm afraid!

It strikes me that it was originally written for American consumption, and a few things have been changed to translate it into English as she is spoke, but there are still errors. How long does it take to fly to Cyprus that requires a meal? Do you get a meal on a normal UK -Cyprus flight, surely it's a short hop these days, certainly not "several hours"? Then there's British Army Youngsters. Really? Then they're on a plane going to Cyprus and they're asked where they are 'headed' , an American expression.

Sorry, I doubt there is any element of fact in this story.

If you don't pass this on to all your friends Santa will definitely give your house a miss next year.

[fergineer]

Timimgs to Larnaca from LGW were about 4:25 in a tristar and that always included a meal for the Pax. Cant recall any of the shorter trips that did not include food in the price of the ticket. That was with Caledonian cant talk for the others. Dont know about the story but the flight times are facts.

[Agaricus bisporus]

Captain came walking down the aisle? Nonsense!
Not in the last 8 years he didn't.

Typical gooey internet pass-it-on spam. It's what the delete button is for.

[Entaxei]

1. Its approx 4+ hours Gatwick to Cyprus - sufficient for lunch.

2. Can anyone envisage the MOD buying tickets that exclude lunch.

3. Truth does'nt matter - its worth believing, its Christmas.

So albeit late - Merry Christmas everyone !!!! :D

[beardy]

Truth does'nt matter - its worth believing

Using an untruth (lie) to justify a belief! Unbelievable!

Truth may not matter to you, does grammar?

[Capetonian]

Since we're picking it to pieces :

an announcement was made that lunches were available for five pounds.
but
She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.
Which carrier charged for meals in Y but had F on board?
Which carrier ever operated LON-Cyprus with F?
Did the army ever use civvy flights to transport troops? (I don't know, that is a genuine question.)

I suspect that this was written by a US American and someone picked it up and changed the references.

Well ... at least it didn't come with a threat that I'd be hit by a lorry if I didn't pass it on to 999 people within 10 seconds of opening it!

[just another jocky]

It's spam, and Spam spam at that!

Someone close the thread....please!

[allan907]

Funnily enough I got this in my email yesterday:

It’s one of those days. You know that you’ve won a share in the British lottery worth £20 million and Microsoft also reckon that you’ve got another $250,000 heading your way in their draw. You’re probably thinking that you’re going to spend some of that windfall on those ‘special offer’ Viagra tablets to go with the enlargement of your ‘manhood’. But along comes Nbongo de Congo whose email to you pleading to help him salt away another $400,000,000 that his wife’s uncle who was finance minister in Cote d’Ivory tugs at the heartstrings

Or, perhaps, you are one of the really lucky ones and your inbox isn’t clogged up with crap like that.

You may well be one of the lucky ones because the people that you know don’t send you emails that go to all and sundry or tug at the heartstrings with pictures of soldiers doing their duty for instance. The one thing that they all have in common is that they are “chain mail” emails. They ask you to forward on to 10 other people and, for good measure, to ensure that you do, they slip in the “and send it back to the person who sent you this”. You can’t break the chain because something awful will happen to you or your patriotism will be called into question, or your friendship tested. This is blackmail of the worst kind because it’s being done to friends! And has anybody seen what happens to your screen after you’ve sent it to 10 people? No, I didn’t think so.

OK. So it’s just harmless fun isn’t it?

Ever wondered just why you’re getting those emails saying you’ve won lots of cash? Some are pure “shots in the dark” but mostly the email addresses are garnered from those self same chain emails. The ones which ask to return a copy to sender are the worst. Most of these type of emails contain a nasty little bug which collects email addresses for use by third parties. You can make their task much, much easier by simply leaving in all the email addresses from previous senders and sending your copies out in “plain” rather than using BCC

So, if you don’t get anything like that from me then don’t be surprised. In any event I usually send them straight to ‘trash’ without opening them. If they are opened by mistake then I ain’t going to send you a copy back. If you truly are my friend it doesn’t need that to prove it.

You may feel that you want to send this on to 10 people that you know!!!



It would appear that the pictures on the original don't work!

[Laarbruch72]

It's a bit dusty in here...

Reminds me of that time that a whole terminal at Heathrow / JFK / Luton burst into spontaneous applause as the uniformed serviceman walked through arrivals. And that one where Starbucks refused to serve marines. And the Muslim lady who wouldn't serve a soldier in Tesco...

All mawkish, embarrassing, made up crap from the land of make believe.

[Jumping_Jack]

:yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk:

[Whenurhappy]

The above is one of those sickly sweet homilies which I am sure originated in the US - along with those syrupy motivational posters that seem to adorn the walls of DE&S offices.

I spent almost 5 years as a Geographical Bachelor in London, and I traveled home up the West Coast line every Friday afternoon from London Euston.

More often than not, there would be soldiers and sailors heading home on leave; occasionally there would be an airman or two returning from Cosford (sometimes in uniform). There were several occasions when I had to intervene, show my ID card and ask the guys to tone down their beer fueled descriptions of events in Iraq or the 'Stan - or their level of swearing - which were clearly upsetting fellow passengers.

However, there were occasions when I would return from the buffet car with an extra can or two for guys on R&R - and I wasn't alone amongst other passengers in doing this.

For some reason, a lot of squaddies congregate in the 'vestibuuule' in spite of seats being available in the carriages - I watched with a degree of amusement when I realised that they would (amongst others) dash off the train at, say, Preston and try to have a quick drag on a cigarette, before boarding the train. The railway staff were aware of this and one week the Transport Police were there to catch this miscreants - it now being a very serious offence to smoke on a platform! The train was held whilst the Police stopped the guys, who offered their IDs and the police let them re-board the train (minus their tabs); the other smokers were detained and very probably fined GBP200 - and missed their train. For once a degree of discretion was used by BTP.

WP

[finestkind]

Alan907,
totally agree with the chain letter blackmail description.

beardy,
However an untruth to justify a belief is believable. Yes Cynthia ? there is a Santa Claus. Why because its nice to see the kiddies believing in good etc and its nice, if only for a moment, for the more wise to think that good will, etc can actually happen.

[Pontius Navigator]

The low-cost flights to Cyprus do not provide inflight catering but do serve food and drink for purchase.

While a flight may only be 4.5 hours you have a minimum of one hour pre-flight without food and drink and a further 2-3 hours post-flight possibly even before leaving the airport and another hour to Akrotiri - that is some 8-9 hours and is far too long for your average starving squaddie.

True or not? Probably not as you don't get a meal for a fiver and no squaddie would travel on squeezyJet without money anyway.

[dallas]

CORRECTED VERSION (UK)

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat.

It was going to be a long flight from Gatwick. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read

Perhaps I will get a short sleep,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of British Army Youngsters came down the aisle, loudly talking about which hostie they'd shag first.

I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you blokes headed?' I asked the Young man seated nearest to me.

'No idea' said the first man; 'Why, who are you?' said the man next to him, as I remembered that everyone on the flight was going to Cyprus.

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made for duty free, lottery tickets, broken front toilets, immigration cards...blah blah blah and that lunches were available for five pounds. Puzzlingly, it would be several hours before we reached Cyprus, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier threaten his mate with a kicking unless he lent him a tenner.

'It'll be ****e - airline food always is. We'll get lashed and get a kebab in Aya Napa later'. His mate agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers, many of whom stared with suspicion back at me. None were buying lunch (maybe because they didn't get a reciept). I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty Pound note.

'Is that real?..' she said.

She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. 'Coz if it's not it'll come out of my wages'.

After convincing her it was fine I asked her to give the soldiers all some lunches. 'You're not trying to groom them or anything wierd are you?', she enquired, attracting tuts from some of the passengers in the rear cabin.

After quickly clearing things up with the head hostie she picked up ten lunchboxes and headed to where the boys were seated.

She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked..


She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'We haven't got either, but here's some crockery we had spare' she said. This is your thanks.

Hungry, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. An old bloke stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five Pounds..

After I strenuously explained again that I wasn't grooming the young boys the head hostie threatened me with the police on arrival if I carried on causing a disturbance on the plane.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he wasn't looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane.

When he got to my row he stopped and said, 'Look, if you carry on like this we're diverting to Crete'.

Quickly fastening my seat-belt I sat down and shut up.

I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers. Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs.

A kid who looked about 18 was sitting about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five Pounds
In my palm, clearly having not heard the captain's earlier warning.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to depart.
Waiting just inside the aeroplane door was a man who stopped me, put
something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another pervert trying to corrupt these young men!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers already on their second pint in the bar...

I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five Pounds.

'What do you want, nonce?' one of them snarled, as a couple of others got punchy.

As I walked briskly to my car, which was mysteriously in Cyprus, I whispered a prayer for their safe return, which got me additional attention at customs.

A British Serviceman is someone who, at one point in his life, was stuck in a rainy shopping precinct during a recruitment surge.

That is Army or McDonalds, and there are way too many foreigners in this country who don't understand it.'

May you have the strength and courage to pass this along to
everyone on your email mates list, otherwise you'll get hit by a truck.

I JUST DID! (not the truck bit)

[PotentialPilot]

Good read,

[On_The_Top_Bunk]

A good story but a load of Bo11oX

[onetrack]

Typical American right-wing propaganda, dressed up in feel-good sugar-coating... but converted into a Brit setting.
God knows how many of these I get from American friends every week. There must be a factory churning them out somewhere.

The first couple I received, maybe 12-13 yrs ago, sort of left me feeling a little peeved... that someone would send me such crap and actually believe it, and continue to forward it.
After I received a few of them, I got sick of them very quickly. They don't even rate 2 secs of my time nowadays.

I can walk around on Anzac Day with numerous medals, and no-one says anything, or even offers me anything. If I leave the Anzac Parade zone and go and join the Missus for a nice lunch somewhere, away from all the BS speeches, I'll get furtive glances from other diners, when I walk into the restaurant, wearing medals.
The furtiveness is probably diner guilt, thinking that perhaps they should go to an Anzac parade once in the lives, instead of going shopping, eating and drinking on Anzac Day.
Last year, one bloke came up and shook my hand. That actually really surprised me. I have only had this happen once, in over 40 yrs.

I know Americans have a great deference to Veterans... but it's purely an American thing, and I intensely dislike anyone sending me American-oriented emails full of largely-fabricated American sentiment, and expecting me to believe it.
It's even worse when someone converts this American propaganda into an Australian or British setting, and expects us to believe it... and even forward it. Thank God for delete buttons on email programs.
No-one has ever bought me lunch, because I served. Not even a snack. Not even when I was in uniform... and certainly not in civvies and wearing medals.
Maybe I need to associate more, with rich Americans. :E

[Whenurhappy]

Dallas - your re-write is brilliant and typical of the cynicism and sarcasm we love and respect!

It eventually occurred to me when I bought beers for some guys on the train on several occasions (see post above) that observers migth have thought I was grooming them.

Interestingly when I eventually gave them my rank in coversation, it was met with a blank stare, until I converted it to Army-speak - and then they withdrew!

[JEM60]

Sickly story. However, quite some years ago I knew of someone who happened to see Simon Weston [Badly burned in the Falklands] come out of a small newsagents, miles from his home. He was given a £10 note and told to have a drink on this guy's family. I know this is true, 'cos it was me.:) I hope it wasn't only me!

[beardy]

However an untruth to justify a belief is believable. Yes Cynthia ? there is a Santa Claus. Why because its nice to see the kiddies believing in good etc and its nice, if only for a moment, for the more wise to think that good will, etc can actually happen.

Yes the untruth is believable, it is also dishonest, it corrupts your credibility and ultimately the point you are trying to make. If the point were made as a parable or told as fiction that would be understandable by all, since it would be comprehended as an illustration. It is completely unjustifiable to have a lie masquerade as truth.

[Entaxei]

I hereby unreservably withdraw my previous post of the 6th, which started life as just a lighthearted response to the spirit of the holiday season, (Christmas).

I had not appreciated what a terrible, criminal even, incident I had created, which I trust everyone present will, in time, recover from the effects of reading.

It is indeed a grim, bleak, blackhearted world that surrounds us. :ugh:

[BarbiesBoyfriend]

Entaxei

Lighten up!

You must admit dallas' version's a lot more likely......and much funnier.:ok:

[Union Jack]

It is completely unjustifiable to have a lie masquerade as truth

Beardy - Well said - if only Anthony Charles Lynton Blair could see your words of wisdom!:ok:

Jack

[PPRuNe Pop]

Whatever! I would LIKE to think it was true. It can happen. Each to his own choice I guess.

[Load Toad]

These stories are written by the same soul that writes the verses inside cheap greetings cards.

No one that would carry out such an act of charity would stoop so low as to go home and write such crap to illicit reaction.

[finestkind]

Fair point beardy.

I withdraw my last post.

A lie is a lie and does destroy credibilty due to a lie being to decieve or take advantage of someone.

I am not sure how this fanatsy is destroying or taking advantage of anyone apart from painting joe public as being appreciative of the efforts of those in the service.

Although JEM 60 does support the fantasy that there is/are some in civvy street that do say thanks.

Though Dallas' version is more on the money.

[beardy]

I am not sure how this fanatsy is destroying or taking advantage of anyone

Because it didn't happen and is being portrayed that it did. Yes I would like it to be true, yes I would like it to happen. But it didn't.

Now perhaps we can get back to real life and real heroes.