scottish

One year to the day after the terror attack on Glasgow Airport, John Smeaton talks from New York City 30th June, 2008.

“Thank you everybody. Without your support it would have been a lot harder to get through this unbelievable year. It’s been absolutely brilliant, fantastic – I’ve met so many people. I’ve been to places I never ever thought I’d see in my life… New York… London… Barcelona… New York… New York! Manchester… Leeds… all over the world.

It just shows you how great the human race is… so many wonderful people… its been very humbling… but your support and the thousands of messages over this whole crazy year has been brilliant… and along the way if I’ve given you all a laugh… its all been worth it… every second of it…

I’ve quit my job, and I am on a wee journey right now… in more ways than one. I am in New York and then I am going to the West Coast.

I don’t know where it’s going to take me but one thing’s certain… I will always go home to Scotland… to Glasgow… always. Make no mistake about that. The other day someone wrote me an email and said ‘You can take the Smeato out of Scotland, but you can never take The Scotland out of Smeato.’ and that’s the truth.

My great Uncle Stevie, when I was a lad, he’d take me fishing, and he always told me ‘John what’s for you… will never go by you.‘ But you know, sometimes you have to stick your hand out and grab it.

It’s there and it’s for you…

But if you don’t notice it… it’ll go by you.”

LATEST NEWS!

Amidst mounting rumour and news reports (click here for details on this), John Smeaton denies any intention of standing against David Davis in the forthcoming by election. John Smeaton says -”I haven’t a scooby why people are saying this! I am not a political man… I was a baggage handler for 12 years.”

John went on to say “And as far as the 42 day period goes… well, if it is going to helps to stop terrorists setting off their bombs and killing innocent people – I’m all for it… but I’ll not support anything that encroaches on the rights of law abiding individuals.”

On other news, there have been several reports of John Smeaton announcing his departure from Scotland, and moving to the US to join his American girlfriend. Details can be read at the following links:

The Scotsman News – Terror Attack Hero Smeaton Quits

TIMES Online – Have-a-go Hero John Smeaton moving to States

But don’t hold your breath because John Smeaton himself clarifies that he is only going there for a MONTH long vacation! This clarification was published and can be read at the following link:

icRenfrewshire – Airport Hero Would Miss Ibrox!

There you have it, from the man himself!

On a rather intellectual view on things, we have here the general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association making noise that Smeato indeed is a celebrity, but we must not forget that what he truly deserves, is the badge of honour.

Excerpts from the article:

“Mr Smeaton became a household name after being interviewed by news organisations from around the world in the wake of the foiled terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport last summer. He was hailed a hero for jumping to the defence of a police officer by tackling one of the alleged terrorists.”

“John Smeaton agreed that Mr Eaglesham had a point. He told The Scotsman: “What I did wasn’t just myself. A lot of people did that. But it went round the world in a flash on the internet. I didn’t expect the attention. I didn’t ask for it and I don’t see myself as anything special.””

The full article can be read here.