Preflight Briefing

As the crowded airliner is about to take off, the peace is shattered by a five- year-old boy who picks that moment to throw a wild temper tantrum. No matter what his frustrated, embarrassed mother does to try to calm him down, the boy continues to scream furiously and kick the seats around him.

Suddenly, from the rear of the plane, a man in a Marine uniform walks up the aisle.  Stopping the flustered mother with an upraised hand, the courtly, soft-spoken Marine leans down, motioning toward his chest, and whispers something into the boy's ear.  Instantly, the boy calms down, gently takes his mother’s hand and quietly fastens his seat belt.  All the other passengers burst into spontaneous applause.

As the Marine slowly makes his way back to his seat, one of the flight attendants touches his sleeve and asks quietly, “Excuse me, sir, but could I ask you what magic words you used on that little boy?”

The Marine smiles serenely and gently confides, “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.”