The Right Thing To Do…

It’s Saturday, and after spending a wonderful, busy, and tremendously successful week in Atlanta, I am sitting on an airplane bound for Dallas, awaiting departure.  As I settled in to a thankfully not-anywhere-near-capacity main cabin, after everyone was seated and ready for take-off, I noticed out of the corner of my eye the flight attendant walking hurriedly to the back of the airplane, on a mission to do something that obviously was very urgent.  When she turned around, I realized she was carrying a very large green and brown army bag in her hands, with a very young 20-something year old man in matching army fatigues following her back up the aisle to the First Class section of the aircraft. 

My initial response was, “WOW, what a nice thing to do for this young man,” and then, as I pondered more deeply, my thoughts morphed into, “You know, its not only a good thing to do, it’s the RIGHT thing to do.”  After all, without the thousands of young men and women who literally put their lives on the line every day in duty to their country and to protect our fellow countrymen, we certainly would not have the opportunities to continue to live our lives, day in and day out, in freedom and peace.  The freedom and peace that is bought with sometimes a very great price to these young men and women soldiers who defend our country. 

I spoke with the flight attendant later in the flight and she informed me that they usually make that seating change when the uniformed serviceperson checks in at the gate, but somehow that young man got through the line without the First Class upgrade; my comment to her was that even the Frequent Flyers who travel often and get First Class upgrade perks should be removed from their upgraded seat if there is only space enough for the traveling soldier. 

Kudos to the hard working staff of American Airlines for taking the time and extra effort to do the right thing and make that First Class upgrade happen for that one soldier….it may be the last time he will ever get to experience that show of gratitude from a country that appreciates his service.