These days, flying has become sort of a hassle. From taking off your shoes, jacket, belt, jewelry, watches, etc., dealing with curt and pushy security personnel, adjusting your position to avoid from bruising your knees when the person in front of you pushes their seat back to get some shut-eye, and of course the [lack thereof] food. Needless to say, those who are unfortunate enough to have to travel on the “busy” days, well, it’s easy to see why negative emotions run rampant.
Yesterday I was one of those “privileged” flyers who, at 5:50 am, was one of the last ones to board my plane to avoid the slow-moving traffic as people vied for that special overhead storage. In front of me was a man, brawny in stature, probably anywhere between twenty eight and thirty two years old, who was on his way home from a long stint he served in the Middle East. As we entered the plane, I made sure to grab his arm and thank him for his services to our country.
Our appreciation for our troops is something that all-too-often goes unsaid. Although it seems awkward to approach a stranger and thank him/her for their services simply because they are wearing a military outfit, it is the least we can do as citizens of the USA regardless of one’s opinion on the happenings worldwide.
As we started down the aisle of the plane, obviously passing the first class section, another man, an older gentleman, dressed extremely dapper, stood up to shake hands with the soldier that stood before me. Before the soldier could respond to his generosity, the business man picked up his suitcase, grabbed the ticket out of the soldier’s hand and said, “Please take my seat here in first class and I’ll take yours. It’s the least I can do to express my appreciation for your services to our country.” Taken aback, the soldier quietly hoisted his luggage into the ample space above and sat down in the plush first class seat as the other gentleman headed back to coach.
This man gave something that he valued to a perfect stranger, of whom he had no prior knowledge nor did he know what country he was returning from his service. He didn't know his rank nor did his personal background matter. This man wanted to express his appreciation by sharing something that he valued, with this perfect stranger.
As I maneuvered back to my seat, the memory of this seating exchange remained on my mind the rest of the day. What if more people could show their appreciation to those who serve or country? Sure, you may not be able to give up your first class ticket, but let me tell you folks, a sincere “thank-you,”travels a LONG way. That’s where Brushfire stands...Have YOU helped save the world today?
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