Soldiers

On the 4th of July weekend I went to send off Divya's friend. While we were standing near the kiosk, waiting for her friend to check in , there was a loud buzz of claps . Amused, I looked around hoping to catch a glimpse of a Celebrity or something of that sort , but there was no one around thereby leaving the mystery of claps unsolved. After leaving her friend at the security gate and while on our way back I again heard similar clapping sounds. I went around the place and this time I saw them, the US soldiers marching towards the security gate . They were uniformed in cream and brown military garbs with guns in their hands and a stern look on their faces. While everyone around stood, waving and clapping incessantly, showing their appreciation for them, their faces betrayed no emotion.Their faces conveyed a stern indifference. I can not possibly imagine the experiences and stories which lead to such a face. My respect for them multiplied umpteen times and I bowed down and saluted them.

Just came across this article:Long Goodbye http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Editorial/The_Long_Goodbye/rssarticleshow/3229471.cms
by Bachi Karkaria which spoke of the very same US soldiers at Atlanta's airport and I experienced a Dejavu.