By Dave Millhouser

It was pitch black as the old bus ghosted west on U.S. 24, crossing Colorados rolling prairie.

A hint of pink in the rearview mirror whispered that dawn was coming, and the driver asked the group leader to wake the 40 teenagers sleeping in the passenger seats.

"They need to see this. . . "

A bit of grumbling, then silence.

The sun rising behind the coach flashed a beam that arced 30 miles ahead, across the night sky, and lit the tip of Pikes Peak. The snow cap glittered like a jewel hovering in space, and then the light descended the mountain, making it glow pink and purple.

"Purple Mountain Majesties"... you bet.

It has been 45 years but the memory remains crystal clear.

This is what bus people do.

In the midst of financial crises, economic meltdowns and all the things that make this a tough business ... we take people to special places and moments.

Were often perceived as a second cousin to more glamorous modes of transportation, but without buses many of the folks who make this country work couldnt get to their jobs.

The young men and women of the military, who protect us, begin their difficult journeys in buses and thats how they come back to us.

The special generation that saw us through WWII and Korea have used our coaches to tour the great nation they defended -- and built.

We take them to see a country that, even in the midst of turmoil, remains the most beautiful and generous on earth.

We take folks to friends and family for holidays and special occasions, to sporting events and shows, and to summer camps and vacations. We rescue hurricane victims. Without bus service, countless communities would be isolated, unlivable for those unable to drive.

We do it even when airplanes are grounded and trains break down -- safely and with a minimum of fuss.

Its a rugged business, with hard work, long hours and midnight emergencies. There never seems to be enough time or money. We all gripe and yet, somehow, we are never able to quit the business. Its a lifetime addiction.

That may be because, deep inside, we know who we are and that what we do is special. We may not be sophisticated, or sexy, but we do something great.

It would be nice if the public recognized it, but we do it because its so damn satisfying. Coaches and the people that operate them make America a far better place to live.

In 1966, I started sweeping buses. Since then, theyve taken me to a lot of wonderful places and offered opportunities I could never have imagined as I pushed trash down the aisle of a 1947 Brill.

None of that can compare to all the fine people Ive met.

And so, with the holidays approaching, may I thank you all for what youve done for me, for our industry and for this great country? Its an honor to be a bus person -- to be one of you.

And may I remind you that what you do matters? You make peoples lives better in ways that arent always visible but are very real. You are needed.

We grumble, but in the words of the Buffalo Bills great football coach, Marv Levy: "Where would you rather be? What would you rather be doing?"

Dave Millhouser is a bus industry marketing consultant and freelance writer. Contact him at: dave_millhouser@hotmail.com.