Didn’t I hear a story on Fox News this morning where a soldier was tossed out of a cab for being a soldier?
I have approached several service members in various airports. Only one ever gave me a slightly questionable look when I thanked them and shook their hand.
Most were incredibly humble.
Good to hear there is still some decency left in this country.
Honor still exists
Wonderful story. I really hope someone passes stories like this on to Obama, because I’m sure they would really piss him off.
Anybody want to raise his/her hand?
Kudo’s to American Airlines & those who gave up their seats.
Back in 1965 I was on emergency medical leave because I had contacted meningitis during basic training. I was a pretty sick puppy and was sitting in the waiting room at the St. Louis airport waiting to fly military standby home.
I guess I was really looking sorry because an Army Captain came over and asked me if I was OK. I told him what was going on. He returned in about 10 min with a full price ticket so I did not have to wait standby. He was an aide for a General who was the one who had spotted me sitting there and it was the General that bought me the ticket.
I never did get the General’s name. I just saw him leave the airport with his aide and he smiled at me and gave me a brief nod of his head.
This was the best thing I have heard all day...:)
It makes me feel hopeful.
So I sit down in coach next to another oil and gas guy. A lady behind me leans over and says, you just switched seats with that army guy didn't you? I said, no big deal, but she says, I have these drink coupons so let me buy you a drink, what’ll you have? I told her Sky vodka and started to talking to the oil and gas guy. Well apparently she was traveling with a group - all of whom had drink tickets, so not long after we got airborne I had Sky bottles lined up all the way across my seat-back tray. Wouldn't you know the oil and gas guy was a practicing Muslim and didn't drink. So I'm doing my best to get through the Sky when here comes the business class flight attendant with a tumbler full of iced vodak and apologies for taking so long to get to me. Thank the Lord I had a ride at the airport. I never got to talk to the soldier but I figure I owe some grunt a drink after that trip.
Nice to see that there are still good and decent folks in this world! Have been wondering...
That's the part I really like.
I recall a time in Chicago when I tried to pay for a table of soldiers who looked fresh back from the sandbox. The lady at the register got this big grin on her face and said, "Well, sir, only if the other two opt out." "Wha?" I asked. "You're third in line to pay for their meal." I think I got a bigger kick out of that than the troopers did.
I second the Captain’s comments on how impressed he is at the level of support 10 years on.
As a former 200,000 mile/year business traveler, I did similar things for our troops because:
1) it is the right thing to do and
2) for the time my brother in law was spat upon coming home from VN through Oakland and SeaTac in 1966.
On my last Southwest flight (second leg from Portland, OR to Nashville) we got to 35,000 feet and the pilot came on the speaker and announced “I’ve turned off the seatbelt signs. We have four soldiers heading home from overseas sitting in the rear. Say hi to them when you can”.
Of course, taking our cue when the seatbelt lights went off, we all stood up and applauded. I saw grown men cry, including me.
When i returned from my all expense paid trip to sunny Southeast Asia, I wore my dress blues and took my girlfriend to a nice restaurant, when the waiter brought what i thought was the check.........the little leather binder thingy contained a note instead, “ Thank you for your service Marine, dinner is on me, only one condition..YOU must return the kindness tenfold before you go to guard the streets of Heaven..and include this verbiage”
Over the years my wife and i have done this dozens of times,BECAUSE IT`S THE RIGHT THING TO DO!