"WHAT'S YOUR SEAT NUMBER SOLDIER"? - The Firearms Forum

rooter · 07-16-2004, 06:35 PM

It all began with a chance encounter at an airport, a glance, an offer, a quiet chat.
"What's your seat number, soldier?"

"It's 23-B, sir," the soldier told the businessman.

"No, son, that's my seat. Yours is in first class."

As more soldiers boarded, similar offers quickly came from the other first-class passengers. Eight soldiers heading home from Iraq for two weeks of R&R found themselves and their officers in the big seats up front instead of the center seats in coach.

U.S soldiers fresh from Iraq were surprised but grateful for the first-class seats on Flight 866 from Atlanta to Chicago. That spontaneous act of good will transformed American Airlines Flight 866, from Atlanta to Chicago, on June 29.

"The soldiers were very, very happy, and the whole aircraft had a different feeling," said Lorrie Gammon, one of the Dallas-based flight attendants working the trip.

"There were 14 seats in first class, and there were 12 soldiers there. The other two first-class passengers wanted to give up their seats, too, but they couldn't find any more soldiers." Flight attendant Candi Spradlin of Conway, Arkansas, said she was impressed with how passengers treated the soldiers.

"If nothing else, those soldiers got a great homecoming," she said.

"The soldiers were so surprised they barely knew what to do," said Ms. Gammon, who lives in Frisco.

"They were so humble and thankful - they spent the whole flight saying thank you," she said."But we should have been saying thank you to them for what they're doing for us."

~ By Michael Young with the Dallas Morning News ~

SouthernMoss · 07-16-2004, 08:22 PM

What a great story!

Marlin · 07-16-2004, 08:28 PM

Thank you for bringing such a touching moment to us, Chief.

Great story.

07-16-2004, 06:35 PM	#1
rooter VMBB Senior Chief Of Staff Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Marty Robbins old hometown, Glendale Arizona--a suburb of Phoenix. Contributor Posts: 9,339	"WHAT'S YOUR SEAT NUMBER SOLDIER"? It all began with a chance encounter at an airport, a glance, an offer, a quiet chat. "What's your seat number, soldier?" "It's 23-B, sir," the soldier told the businessman. "No, son, that's my seat. Yours is in first class." As more soldiers boarded, similar offers quickly came from the other first-class passengers. Eight soldiers heading home from Iraq for two weeks of R&R found themselves and their officers in the big seats up front instead of the center seats in coach. U.S soldiers fresh from Iraq were surprised but grateful for the first-class seats on Flight 866 from Atlanta to Chicago. That spontaneous act of good will transformed American Airlines Flight 866, from Atlanta to Chicago, on June 29. "The soldiers were very, very happy, and the whole aircraft had a different feeling," said Lorrie Gammon, one of the Dallas-based flight attendants working the trip. "There were 14 seats in first class, and there were 12 soldiers there. The other two first-class passengers wanted to give up their seats, too, but they couldn't find any more soldiers." Flight attendant Candi Spradlin of Conway, Arkansas, said she was impressed with how passengers treated the soldiers. "If nothing else, those soldiers got a great homecoming," she said. "The soldiers were so surprised they barely knew what to do," said Ms. Gammon, who lives in Frisco. "They were so humble and thankful - they spent the whole flight saying thank you," she said."But we should have been saying thank you to them for what they're doing for us." ~ By Michael Young with the Dallas Morning News ~ __________________ -->

07-16-2004, 08:22 PM	#2
SouthernMoss Admin Tech Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SW MS Contributor Posts: 10,651	Re: "WHAT'S YOUR SEAT NUMBER SOLDIER"? What a great story! __________________ My Second protects your First "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand." - Susan B Anthony

07-16-2004, 08:28 PM	#3
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,854	Re: "WHAT'S YOUR SEAT NUMBER SOLDIER"? Thank you for bringing such a touching moment to us, Chief. Great story. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*