Introduction: In a culture awash with bad news, horrors, and the profane, just a light piece to brag on an airport I love using: Indianapolis, Indiana’s. Why? Well, I left Atlanta’s airport early in the morning, and the best view of ATL’s airport is in the rear view mirror. ATL’s is a zoo that seems to bring out many folks who were raised on MTV, Skittles, and The Jerry Springer Show. One need only watch and marvel at the things you see in ATL’s airport.

Leaving ATL:

Welcome Aboard: This Southwest flight was on a pretty new 737. There were plenty of unoccupied seats and we passengers were able to spread out.

A gregarious friendly stewardess saw me in uniform and welcomed me aboard. Then she told me of her dad who was with 1st CAV in Vietnam from 1967-69, and of how he was killed while serving there during combat operations. I listened. She pulled out her cell phone and showed me pictures of her dad, an infantry officer and an O-4 (Major) when he was killed in combat. She talked of her dad, of her memories growing up on Ft. Benning and Ft. Hood. I listened. She was so genuine, grateful, and clearly still adored her dad.

Literary Tingles: I always smile when I look at the literature sign in the seat pocket in front of us when we are seated.

I pulled out my paperback of All the Pretty Horses that I’m reading for the umpteenth time. I love it that much and thought to myself, “Hey, literature time! I’m ready!” That tends to get some strange looks from the non-literary types nearby, so I smile.

Midwest from the Sky: Indiana came into view after I’d read for an hour-and-a-half. In my reading, I had been on horseback with John Grady Cole and been in a prison fight with Mexican thugs in McCarthy’s literary world.

Indianapolis’s Airport Doing Right by the Military: I was slated to meet my buddy at the USO in Indy’s airport. I had a few moments before he arrived, so I walked around the USO and out front, admiring the work that made this USO so welcoming. Plus, the veteran-volunteers were all friendly, welcoming me to patronize the free books, help myself to bottled water and coffee and beef jerky, and toiletries if I needed a new can of shaving cream, etc. It was all done well here with attention to detail.

Link-up with My Buddy: My buddy showed up about 20 minutes later. We hugged and immediately began catching up since last time. He was as witty as ever, and we laughed aloud so often that we got some stares from some recruits that were about to ship out to San Diego for their initial training. They were still in civilian attire and the boys still had long hair and they played on their cell phones, and my buddy and I chuckled at their wide-eyed nervousness and the way they huddled together as if comfort rested in numbers.

Indy, you guys do it right here, at least via your airport. Salute!