Wednesday, August 22, 2007

A Hero on Board

My flight today from Atlanta to Richmond started off fairly normal.

We all boarded the flight (I was in “Zone 5").  I took my seat (emergency exit row, window, my favorite) and stuffed my stuff under the seat in front of me.

As everybody else filed onto the plane and took their seats, I thumbed through the latest edition of Wired magazine, tired from an early morning drive to the Altanta airport, and knowing I had a busy day ahead of me.

Once everybody had settled in, the pilot stood at the front of the cabin and took over the PA system.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, thanks for flying with us today.  I’d like you all to know we’re flying with an American hero today.”

With that the pilot introduced a young Army Specialist, who was flying home from Iraq on his R&R.  The entire plane burst into a supportive and appreciative round of applause.

After the pilot thanked the Specialist for his service, a passenger sitting in first class offered to trade seats with the young soldier.

It was one of those moments that touches your heart and makes you appreciate all the things we have in life.  Much of it is due to the soldiers who fight for us every day.