More popular than some would have you believe

The Associated Press is reporting

Eight soldiers flying home from Iraq for two weeks of R&R flew in style instead of coach after first-class passengers offered to swap seats with them.

"The soldiers were very, very happy, and the whole aircraft had a different feeling," flight attendant Lorrie Gammon told The Dallas Morning News in Thursday's editions.

The June 29 seat-swap on American Airlines Flight 866 from Atlanta to Chicago started before boarding, when a businessman approached one of the soldiers and traded his seat.

When the swapping was done, "the other two first-class passengers wanted to give up their seats, too, but they couldn't find any more soldiers," Gammon said.

Another flight attendant, Candi Spradlin, said she was impressed with the acts of good will.

"If nothing else, those soldiers got a great homecoming," she said.

Now I don't know how these people who gave up their seats feel about the war on Islamic fascists or George Bush. But there is no doubt that they at least respect the men and women who are called to fight the war that we as a nation decided to fight according to the rules of how we decide such things.

More importantly, it goes way beyond simply not calling soldiers baby killers

I believe that despite the few instances of misconduct by a few of our troops, people in general have faith in the goodness of our men and women in uniform.

And if you have any doubts about our troops, just look here and here.

Update: Michelle Malkin has a picture of the soldiers and flight crew in their first class seats as well as more information on the Bainbridge Island debacle referenced above.

You didn't have to love me like you did
But you did, but you did.
And I thank you.

You didn't have to squeeze me like you did
But you did, but you did.
And I thank you.

-Sam and Dave
(written by David Porter, Isaac Hayes)