As the young man settled into the middle seat next to my window, he asked if he had connected the seat belt correctly. “It’s my first time flying,” he said defensively. I had noted on the pre-boarding board that seat 19E had gone to a standby passenger.
I told him he would need to put his single duffle bag into an overhead bin or under the seat. As he slid the bag in front of him, I realized he was as tall as me or a bit taller and the bag, even in our Main Cabin Extra seats, was limiting his legroom. I suggested he put his bag in the bin. He said it was full, but I pointed across the aisle toward an open space and told him he could put it in there. Our aisle seatmate let him up and the deed was done as the flight attendant closed the front door.
“Where are you off to on your first flight?” I asked. “Basic training,” was his shy reply. I put out my hand, saying, “Congratulations, and thank you for your service.” He took it and thanked me for my support.
He said he was going to be in the Army infantry. “I didn’t grow up with a lot of money … this is my first time ever out of state,” he said, again somewhat defensively. I reassured him that, being in the Army, this wouldn’t be his last time flying, but it probably wouldn’t be as comfortable as this, picturing the photos and stories from those previously in the military of flying in the back of a C-130, C-5 or C-17 to some combat zone.
As we settled-in for the long flight to our Nation’s Capital, he quickly fell asleep. I understand this to be an admirable trait for a soldier (not having served, I have no first-hand knowledge). As he snoozed, I thought of the many adventures to come for this young man, leaving his family and home for the first time. The grueling hours of basic followed by additional training. Will he be deployed overseas? Where will his assignments take him? The deserts of the Middle East? The jungles of Asia? Field exercises in Europe? Who knows … but I silently prayed for his safety and the hope that through his service, he will see the world through a new lens. I hoped that he would know that through his effort and commitment, the world might become a better and safe place.
Godspeed young man. There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. May life’s adventures bring you joy and happiness, and the satisfaction that serving your country is among life’s highest honors.
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