Spirit Magazine - July 2013 - (Page 22)

Your Words Dear Spirit, I read Spirit magazine from cover to cover almost every other week on my business trips, and I’m often moved by many of the feature stories. However, “Dear Matthew, Joshua, & Noah...” [May 2013] was truly the most touching. I’ve never been so moved by a story that it brought me to tears. As the sister of a U.S. Army soldier who is currently deployed in Afghanistan, I could very much relate to the “soldiering on” mentality of Lt. Col. Mark Weber. His unwavering bravery, both for our country and his family, deserves the highest recognition and will no doubt live on through his equally brave sons and wife. Thank you for sharing this story as it sheds light on the heroic lives of our soldiers, and it was truly inspirational. Bless our troops and the Weber family. What do We leave behind? for one father, the question has come up early in life. and every thought he has is for his sons. By Lt. CoL. Mark M. Weber Photo illustrations by adaM Voorhes 70 spirit may 2013 may 2013 spirit 71 —jessica harpin l as vegas You certainly weren’t the only one drying your eyes, Jessica. Many of the letters that follow express a similar sentiment. Please thank your brother for us. Send ’em in Write to us at 2811 McKinney Ave., Suite 360, Dallas, TX 75204 or email letters@spiritmag.com. For comments or questions directed at Southwest Airlines that don’t pertain to Spirit, please visit the “Contact Us” page at southwest.com. Our favorite letter each month wins a Spirit diner mug. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/spiritmag Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/spiritmagazine 22 spirit july 2013 TeArful GooDbye Well, Spirit, your May issue made me cry on my flight, and, as odd as it sounds, I cannot begin to thank you enough for it. “Dear Matthew, Joshua, & Noah...”, the excerpt from Lt. Col. Mark Weber’s book, Tell My Sons..., struck a chord with me that most outside the military community probably wouldn’t understand. Weber’s story helps to illuminate the hardship of saying goodbye to one’s family, but it’s also a beautiful expression of how to rise above sadness and adversity through true leadership. Bravo, Spirit, and thank you. —leigh ann Killian Ta m pa , F l o r i d a Mark’s lesson to his sons speaks to all of us—even while his message to military families sounds a special chord. Thanks for writing. JuST Keep GoinG I was very touched by the story in your May issue about Mark Weber, a father battling cancer while also trying to provide a legacy of wisdom to his sons. It brings me back to when I, at a young age, learned the terminal condition of my own dad and how that experience and the teachings of my father got me to where I am today. The story is also a very poignant reminder that when life really gets tough, we just need to keep going. Thank you for including articles like this in your magazine, articles that give us a moment to stop and rethink what matters most to us. —j oy m ayo r d o w n e y, c a l i Fo r n i a You clearly had a special father, Joy. fATherly forTiTuDe Your excerpt from Lt. Col. Mark Weber’s upcoming book, Tell My Sons…, was the most touching thing I have ever read. As a father of four, I cannot imagine the courage it takes to go through what this hero has. I wish Lt. Col. Weber and his family http://www.southwest.com http://www.facebook.com/spiritmag http://www.facebook.com/spiritmag http://www.twitter.com/spiritmagazine http://www.twitter.com/spiritmagazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spirit Magazine - July 2013

Spirit Magazine - July 2013
Contents
Gary’s Greeting
Gary’s Greeting en Español
Star of the Month
Freedom Story
From the Editor
Your Words
Your Pictures
Media Center
Eat Drink Sleep
The Numbers
Business
Made in America
American Idol
Your Adventure In Baltimore
Life Adventure In Baltimore
Promotional Series: Spirit of Branson
Promotional Series: Spirit of Nevada
Promotional Series: Spirit of Health
Calendar
Fun!
Spotlight
Community Outreach
Route Map
Rapid Rewards Partners
Flight Service
The “If” List

Spirit Magazine - July 2013