One thing American Airlines should be commended for is their treatment of U.S. soldiers. I truly debated if I should write about this or not. I don’t want it to look like I did it for anything other than what it was … the right thing to do. But I’m hoping that bringing attention to it just might inspire others to do the same. RELATED: Escorting a Fallen Soldier Home Turned an Ordinary Flight Into the Most Extraordinary Flight of My Life
This happened a while back but here’s the story, which I think is as relevant today as it was then: After getting on a particular flight, I had a bird’s eye view of boarding from seat 1E, a comfortable bulkhead seat on a 757 jet. I always look down into my travel journal once I get on early so I don’t feel the envious eyes of coach passengers. But I perked up when I heard the flight attendant welcome a soldier onboard. I looked up and sure enough, a fully decked-out army man was standing in the aisle.
By the time I talked my conscience into giving up my seat, he was gone. I got up and asked the friendly flight attendant if it would be OK if I switched seats with the soldier, and she almost made me cry when she said, “Really? That is so nice of you, and you will make his day as he is headed to Afghanistan. He had a tear in his eye since he was just saying goodbye to his family.”
Giving up your first-class seat
Then all of a sudden, I became emotional, thinking, What if that was me not being able to see my loved ones for months and quite possibly ever again? I slowly waded through the plane, hoping he wasn’t in a middle seat in the way back, when I spotted him on his cell in 19D (an aisle seat). When I pointed to him he immediately got up, thinking I was headed to the window seat. I said, “You’ve been reassigned to 1E.” He said, “Sorry?” I looked him in the eye and said, “Thank you for serving our country.” The older man seated behind him said, “Are you giving him your first-class seat?” I didn’t want to bring attention to it so I just smiled and nodded, but the man kept saying, “That’s a beautiful thing.” The soldier, you could tell, was a well-mannered 20-something-year-old. He said to me, “Sir, you paid for that seat.” I said, “No, I didn’t, it just cost me a few upgrade certificates.” He extended his hand and looked at me like I was the nicest guy in the world, when in reality, I’m just one of the millions who had taken these brave men and women and their service for granted. Not anymore.
American Airlines flight crew
The flight attendants made me feel like I was Gandhi as they kept offering me free drinks. Then, when another flight attendant found out that I was the guy who had given up his seat, she insisted on refunding the $6 I paid for the turkey and cheese croissant sandwich. I felt terrible because there was another soldier sitting across the aisle from me but I only had one seat to give. I quietly offered to buy him food, but the flight attendant said, “Oh no, we always give soldiers free food.” Now that’s commendable. On top of that, I heard one of the flight attendants, as she kneeled down next to him, say, “Thank you very much for serving our country and doing what you do.” When we landed, the crew made an announcement publicly thanking the soldiers on-board for their service and wishing them luck in Afghanistan and Iraq, and most of the people on the plane clapped.
Bravo, American Airlines.
KEEP READING:
–How American Airlines Treats Our Military
–Escorting a Fallen Soldier Home on My Delta Air Lines Flight Turned an Ordinary Flight Into the Most Extraordinary Flight of My Life
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In 2010, I was on my home for leave from Iraq, this was the day before thanksgiving, I landed in Atlanta and got a flight to Detroit airport en route to Albany, NY. Due to how late our flight came in, I was merely Space Available in Detroit. When I got to the counter, the attendant advised me the plane was full, an elderly gentlmen wearing a Vietnam Vet hat walked over to where I was standing and asked if I was on my home from battle. I told him yes, and he looked at the attendant and said ma’am re-route me, I want this soldier to go home to his family today. I told the gentlemen that it was ok, I appreciate and I would wait. He would not take No for an answer, I thanked the fellow Vet and gave him a hug and told him how much it would mean to me and My family waiting for me that hasn’t seen me in 9 months. I do not know his name, but if by some miracle he reads this, THANK YOU millions, it was the nicest gesture anyone could’ve done for me and I wish i knew your name.
This story bought a tear to my eyes, the Australian general public have no real respect or sense of pride for our troops that serve in a conflict area. As a returned Vietnam vet, I shamefully recall being spat at and called names by my country men when I returned. All I can say is God bless and protect each and every soldier in the service of their country.
I am so touched by the deeds.
We have had a few gestures of kindness from strangers. 4th of jully 2010. My husband finally came back from afganistan. Still in acus we ran to get some stuff to grill and fireworks. we pilled up on fireworks. Why not right! The kids hadnt seen him n a while and it was independence day lets celebrate big. Upon checking out the owner of the stand said thank you for your service sir and gave us several hundred dollars worth of fireworks for free. Best part about it is that it was on the 4th of jully of all days. Thank you to the people who are kind to others in general. Paying it forward is a big thing.
I have tears in my eyes reading this. My son is a soldier who has been in Afghanistan and I like to think that there are more people out there like you.
Ive never been given an upgraded seat but there were about 10the of us returning from iraq in 2005 on r&r and a gentleman in a suit bought us all a round on the plane. Outstanding gestures from great AMERICANS!!
You made me cry. Maybe because I am in Afghanistan and waiting to come home.
You should never brag about good deeds, or giving. It is Hypocritical and distasteful.(Matthew 6:1-6:4) It makes it seem like you only did it to get praise. As a former soldier and Iraq vet, I see it as someone trying desperately to make up for their lack of courage and service to this great nation
Shut up!
To all the haters on here, bad-mouthing the gesture… get a grip. Quit your crying and whining. People do things like this because they are genuinely grateful. I’ve been serving my country for over 18 years and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I am proud of my service record. Although I don’t need a gesture of gratitude from anyone for my service, I realize that many people express themselves and their gratitude in many ways. Some use words, others use gestures. They do it for various reasons. Maybe, just maybe, they served at one time and want to ensure that you and I are treated better than they were when they came home. I’m sure that at some point, you were informed of the atrocious behaviors name calling that the Vietnam veterans faced upon their return. When was the last time you were spit upon or called baby-killer? Its highly unlikely that you have faced that because those veterans faced it for you. Maybe, just maybe, America is attempting to recover from that dark time and ensure that you and I are treated better.
Here’s another thought… Perhaps, people perform these gracious acts because they have a family member or friend who is serving also. Maybe they do it in hopes that others will take note and want to pay the kindness forward. Whatever the motive behind the act is, it’s irrelevant. Believe it or not, some people are genuinely grateful for what you and I do. If they want to express it, let them. I assure you, that if people did not express their gratitude in some form, those of you complaining and making snide remarks would be the same idiots crying because no one acknowledges your sacrifice. We are Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen… We do not serve in order to gain some sort of acknowledgement… If you do, you are in it for the wrong reasons and I encourage you to get out.
As for the civilians that wish to express their gratitude with acts of kindness… Thank you. However, I promise you that it is not needed. I have experienced numerous acts of kindness throughout my years. I am grateful for every single one of them. However, a simple thank you, although not needed; will suffice. Many times, a simple conversation to help me feel like a normal person is meaningful as a random act of kindness. Please understand, I am not saying that you should or should not express your gratitude for us service members; what I am saying is that it is not required. However, if you feel the need, please do so.
As for the older generation of veterans, I thank you! It is because of you, that I am able to serve my country and live my life on my terms. I appreciate you and all that you have done for me. I appreciate the tid-bits of advice that I have gained over the years in my many conversations with veterans. Even though I currently serve, I feel the need and the desire to show my gratitude to these warriors of past that have sacrificed so much, in order for me to do what I do today.
I guess I will conclude my rambling with this last thought… Its really simple… If someone wants to be kind to you, don’t be a jackass and cry about how much you don’t want the attention. They are trying to be nice to you… Be professional and be polite. You don’t have to accept the act or gift, but you can at least give them a thank you, for being kind to you.
Sincerely,
A Grateful Soldier
Totally a nice thing to do, I was given a seat (1st class) on my way back to deployment from R&R, it was 2 days before Christmas Eve. I actually refused, at first, i didn’t want to be put out there like that, in fact i wanted to be left alone. But the gesture itself has stood out, and to this day, it’s the only time i have ever flown in first class. Keep in mind, some soldiers fly in uniform for attention, but coming back or returning to deployments, one MUST wear their uniform.
This is an eerie story. I was on a flight home and sitting in 19D, the aisle seat. A gentleman did the exact same thing, giving me his first class seat, only that was 1F. I don’t remember the man’s name, nor did i have the chance to meet him as i left the plane, but it really touched me. So, to the anonymous gentleman who did this same thing for me, Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
thats a piss poor attitude towards your own brothers and sisters..shit bag