I want to share a story about two strangers I passed in the airport.  My guess is you have passed them also recently, let me describe them and see if you recognize them. 

I first saw these two, a young man and young woman in their mid-20's I would estimate at the TSA security point.  What stood out was the cool demeanor they both had.  I also noticed when they got to the front they were checked in and passed through very quickly.  When they got through they split up and went to separate x-ray lines.  The young man stopped and let an older couple cut in front of him.  I found it odd but refreshing given that it seems no one even makes eye contact these days let alone allows someone to cut ahead in line.  They thanked him and he just gave a slight nod and quick smile.

I next ran across these two in the newsstand.  It seemed they both were looking for a soda and magazine for the flight. Again they both allowed a single Mom to cut in line and the woman even chatted with the toddler in a stroller.  She also thanked them and they both said no problem Ma'am.

By this point I was struck and a bit intrigued by them and how two people so young seemed both polite and yet had an aura of confidence about them.  I decided to follow them as my flight was not for another three hours.

I was struck by this look they had.  They sat quietly together but always seemed in tune and aware of the surroundings.  They had the look of humble and proud all at the same time.  His clean cut hair stood out and her professional dress and posture also struck me.  They had no bling, loose cloths, baggy pants.  They did not text non-stop only pausing enough catch a breath and talk way too loud on their cell phone.  They were young yet showed a sense of self discipline not seen in many adults twice their age.

I decided to sit across from them and they both looked up and said in a firm but soft tone "Hi Sir".  I then noticed a couple of kids that may have been mid-twenties also but acted just the opposite.  Loud, center of attention, and acting in a way that drew attention because of the constant f-booms dropped during repeated cell phone calls.

The young man noticed a mom with two kids seating near them and went and apologized to her and whispered in one of their ears.  They gave a look of total contempt and told him he could f-himself and find another seat.

The young man again very calm but very, very confidently leaned in and said something.  They got quite and within seconds grabbed their stuff and left.  I was impressed to see someone in this age of allowing all bad behavior to go unchecked take action with a peer his own age.  He again said sorry to the Mom and came and sat down.

I have to ask him a couple questions.  I said excuse me sir, what did you say and what do you do for a living?  He replied by saying you don't have to call me sir....sir.  I'm in the military and I told him we are on our way to Iraq to defend things like free speech.  But that freedom does not mean you can offend everyone around you.  Unless you plan to join me there I expect you to stop offending all of us with your rude and obnoxious behavior.

 

My guess is we have all passed these two in airports across the country.  Your son or duaghter, husband or wife.  Confident yet humble.  Soft spoken yet in control.  Polite not pushy.  It's amazing how professional the men and women of our armed forces our.  Next time you see them in the airport stop and say thanks!

 

Vic Luebker

Chairman, hope4heroes.org