As the crowded airliner was about to take off, the peace was shattered by a five-year-old boy who picked that moment to throw a wild temper tantrum. No matter what his frustrated, embarrassed mother did to try to calm him down, the boy continued to scream furiously and kick the seats around him.
Suddenly, from the rear of the plane, a man in a Marine uniform slowly walked forward up the aisle. Stopping the flustered mother with an upraised hand, the softly spoken Marine leant down and, motioning toward his chest, whispered something into the boy's ear. Instantly, the boy calmed down, gently took his mother's hand, and quietly fastened his seat belt.
All the other passengers burst into spontaneous applause. As the Marine slowly made his way back to his seat, one of the cabin attendants touched his sleeve. "Excuse me, sir," she asked quietly, "but could I ask you what magic words you used on that little boy?"
The Marine smiled and gently confided, "I showed him my pilot's wings, service stars, and battle ribbons, and explained that they entitle me to throw one passenger out the plane door, on any flight I choose." |
