The Power of the First Sergeant
Stopping the frustrated mother's upraised hand, the white haired, courtly, soft-spoken First Sergeant leans down and, motioning toward his collar, 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 First Sergeant slowly makes his way back to his seat, one of the cabin attendants touches his sleeve. "Excuse me, First Sergeant", she asks quietly, "could I ask you what magic words you used on that little boy?"
The First Sergeant smiled serenely and gently confides, "I showed him my service stripes and battle ribbons, and then explained to him that they entitled me to throw one passenger out of the plane."
Originally published December 07, 2002.
