We should take every opportunity to thank our service members whenever and wherever we can, since as I think we can all agree, they don’t receive the respect they deserve. When given the option to brighten a traveling soldier’s day two years ago, one airplane customer chose to do just that.
Well, many of us had unforgettable flying experiences. They frequently involve terrible delays, misplaced luggage, or having a crying infant on an airline.
But a woman named Jessica Titus had a remarkable flight as well, but it stuck out for a different type of reason. In fact, once Love What Matters posted her story on Facebook, it even became widely known.
Jessica, a fellow passenger, witnessed the event. Jessica observed a first-class passenger getting out of his seat and apologizing to the soldier for taking her seat as he boarded an airplane behind a woman wearing an Army uniform.
No, she was in seat 31B, the shocked woman retorted. The soldier was then left with his first-class seat while the man left and sat in coach.
Jessica detailed what she saw in a Facebook post:
“On my flight Tuesday, I walked down the jetway behind a woman in uniform (Army). A man stood up from his 1st class seat and said, ‘Sorry ma’am, I’m in your seat.’ ‘What does your ticket say?’ He asked.”
“She replied, ‘What? No – I’m 31 B.’”
But instead of checking his ticket again and realizing the confusion, he made a very different move.
“He walked away, leaving her with his first class seat and then took her middle seat in coach.”
Sometimes people mistakenly occupy the wrong designated seat. Passengers typically compare tickets next, and the issue is quickly handled. But the individual said he had mistakenly taken the soldier’s place.
The man had the option of simply sitting down and thanking the woman for her service, but he decided to go a step further. He wanted to thank one of our many heroic service members, so he gave up his seat.
Jessica was so moved by the man’s thoughtfulness for the military that she made the decision to show him some kindness in return.
Through the flight attendant, she gave the man a message and some cash. But as you may anticipate, the compassionate man declined her invitation.
“Seat 31 B — Please accept a drink or snack on me. If everyone treated people the way you treated the service-woman, the world would be a better place,” the note read.
It just goes to demonstrate how much goodness can be beautiful! As Jessica’s suggestion is: “Do good. Recognize good. Make the world better.”