Danny was getting ready for the takeoff. It was supposed to be a typical flight for him as he was a frequent flyer. While trying to choose which book to start reading, he accidentally overheard a distressing conversation happening behind him. "I need to do something about it" - he thought, quickly standing up and searching for the flight attendant.
He found the flight attendant in the back of the airplane and told her what he had just heard. Her face was in disbelief. 'We should act right now!" - she said. They had to react quickly, as every minute mattered and could change the lives of many.
A Regular Day
Danny Kukich was flying a lot. He used domestic flights for work and today was another routine journey for him. His bag was packed the night before and when he left for the airport he felt confident things would go smoothly.
As Danny checked in, he saw a large group of soldiers boarding his flight. It wasn’t a strange occurrence but Danny couldn’t help wondering about where they were going and how they felt about starting this journey. He had no idea his life was about to be linked forever to one soldier in particular.
Last Call For Boarding
Danny boarded his flight and was already looking forward to reading a good book he had brought with him. As he walked onto the plane, he struck up a friendly conversation with a few of the soldiers and was shocked at their destination.
The young soldiers spoke to Danny excitedly about their plans. They were flying to their training camp and would be away from their family’s for a few weeks. Danny was amazed at the bravery of these young men, but when the time came he would surprise everyone with his own brave choices.
A Seat With A View
Danny got a great seat on the plane and was close by to the group of soldiers. He could hear them excitedly discuss the upcoming weeks and what they were looking forward to. All of a sudden Danny overheard something and knew he had to take immediate action.
The words the soldier had spoken behind him were a shock to Danny. He had never even considered the possibility of these brave young men facing this particular problem. Danny got up from his seat and vowed to make everything better for their future.
Overhearing A Disturbing Truth
As Danny sat in his seat, he couldn’t help but overhear the soldiers behind him. He realized the men weren’t just going to a local training camp but were on their way to be deployed in Afghanistan. They would be gone from their family's for a very long time.
The bravery these young men displayed made Danny’s heart fill with gratitude and love. He was constantly amazed at the bravery of young soldiers and what they were willing to do for their country. Danny overheard a small conversation between two soldiers and was shocked at the words coming out of their mouths.
A Private Conversation
The group of young men were excited about their future but began to quietly discuss the announcement they had just heard. A flight attendant had just made an announcement that this flight would be offering bag lunches. These lunches would cost $5.
The soldiers behind Danny began to discuss quietly the cost of the lunch. While they were hungry they couldn’t afford the 5$ and the group decided to forfeit this meal. This was unacceptable to Danny and he knew he had to do something drastic.
Finding A Flight Attendant
Danny listened to the conversation happening behind him and was shocked to hear that the brave men serving our country could not afford a simple lunch. This didn’t sit right with him and he knew he could do something to help.
He unbuckled his seatbelt and made his way to the back of the flight. When he approached the flight attendant she looked confused to see the man out of his seat. As Danny told her his plan, the flight attendant’s eyes began to fill with tears of gratitude.
Lunch For Everyone
Danny handed the flight attendant a 50$ bill and asked her to make sure each soldier got a lunch. She held the money and looked at Danny with tears in her eyes. She reached for his hand and said something that he would never forget.
The flight attendant told him, “My son was a soldier in Iraq. This feels like you are feeding one of my own children.” She thanked him profusely but Danny began to feel embarrassed. He walked back to his seat, but it wouldn’t be long before the rest of the plan found out about Danny’s generosity.
The Lunch Delivery
The flight attendant began handing out the lunches to the amazed soldiers. They were shocked at the unexpected generosity from Danny and leaned forward to thank him and pat him on the back. These actions made Danny feel bashful and he humbly accepted their thanks.
He hadn’t done anything special and was uncomfortable but how much his small deed had impacted the young men. After everything they had done, it was the least Danny could do. There was an even bigger recognition coming to Danny’s way.
What Did This Mean?
Danny was sitting in his seat when the flight attendant stopped by his seat and asked him if he preferred chicken or beef. He was confused and didn’t realize what she was talking about but answered honestly and said chicken.
A few minutes later, the flight attendant was walking back towards him with something big in her hands. Danny assumed it was for someone else until she stopped right in front of him. There was no denying Danny was about to get something he never expected.
A First Class Tray
The flight attendant was holding in her hands a glossy first class tray. As she stopped at Danny’s seat, she told him to put his meal tray down, and even though he was confused he put down the tray. She put a first-class meal plan in front of him and said, “This is for your thanks”.
Danny was getting even more bashful. He hadn’t expected any recognition and was uncomfortable with the spotlight. He was about to come face to face with one man in particular that would make Danny feel the true worth of his good deed.
A Message From The Pilot
Danny’s first-class lunch was delicious. It was better than any airplane food he had ever tried. He made sure to eat every bite and felt immensely rewarded. Just as he was sitting with his full belly, he saw the Plane’s pilot walking down the aisle.
The pilot was looking at the seat numbers, and for some reason, Danny wondered if he was coming to speak with him. He tried to get lower in his seat, but the captain stopped right next to his row. What did the pilot need to say to one passenger that couldn’t wait for the journey to be done?
I Want To Shake Your Hand
Danny looked up at the pilot and saw the man had a large smile on his face. He didn’t know what to expect, but then the captain said, “I want to shake your hand.” Quickly Danny unbuckled his seat belt and stood up to shake hands with the man responsible for their safe journey.
The captain excitedly shook Danny’s hand and then made a booming announcement. The pilot said, “I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.” What happened next made Danny blush from head to toe.
The Applause Was Deafening
When the pilot spoke, his words echoed through the small aircraft. Danny wasn’t sure how to respond. Just as he opened his mouth, he was surprised by the reaction from his fellow passengers. Other passengers had heard what the captain said, and was clapping for Danny's good deed.
The applause was happening in the entire aircraft. Everyone admired what Danny had done for these young soldiers and was impressed by his generosity and thinking of others. Danny was at a loss for words but managed to get out his thanks and quickly sat back down. There was more recognition around the corner.
He Needed A Moment Alone
Since Danny was stuck on the plane, he decided to go collect himself in the one private space available, the bathroom. As he walked towards the facilities, he saw one man also waiting. Danny smiled as he quietly began to wait next to him.
The other passenger turned to Danny and said he wasn’t waiting for the bathroom. He was waiting for a chance to speak with Danny. Danny was shocked, why would a stranger want to speak with him. All of a sudden he handed Danny a gift that he didn’t know how to accept.
I Want To Be A Part Of It
Danny was shocked a stranger wanted to speak to him, but the conversation took an even more surprising twist. The man handed Danny 25$ dollars and told him, “I saw what you did. I want to be a part of it, here take this.”
The 25$ was a donation to Danny’s contribution but he didn’t think he should keep it. He tried to refuse but the stranger walked away before Danny could say anything else. He went into the bathroom and couldn’t help but stare at his shocked reflection in the mirror.
A Long Flight With Stretching
Danny was feeling restless from the long flight and decided he would stretch his legs. He got up and started to walk the aisles. He would occasionally see people recognizing him and return smiles and waves.
When he got to the end of the aisle, another passenger blocked his path. Danny waited to see what the passenger would do, but instead realized he was about to get another surprise. How many more of these would happen before the flight ended?
A Smooth Handshake
The man was actually moving back to his seat and had his hand outstretched towards Danny. Danny realized he wanted to shake hands and Danny dumbfoundedly put his hand out as well. When Danny pulled his hand away he realized the stranger had done something shocking.
He had slipped him another 25$! Similar to the other passenger that had ambushed him by the bathroom. Danny was amazed that he was receiving so much cash for his own simple actions. The good deed had now cost him nothing, but this wasn’t a deposit that Danny felt he should keep.
It Was Time To Land
After a long flight, it was finally time to land. Danny followed the crowd as everyone disembarked. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with donations he had received on the flight. There was one more surprise waiting for Danny.
A gentleman was waiting for him as he got off the plane. Danny didn’t understand at first the man was waiting for him but then he reached towards Danny’s chest and before Danny could think, the stranger was doing something unimaginable.
Tucked Into His Pocket
Danny was wearing a simple button-down shirt, and it had a pocket on the front. He was caught off guard by the stranger reaching towards his chest and then realized what they were doing.
Without saying anything, the stranger slipped another $25 into his shirt pocket. After he slipped the money into his pocket, he turned and walked away. Danny was left standing at the plane. This journey had been nothing like he had expected and it still wasn’t over.
The Total Collection
During the course of the flight, Danny had received $75! The lunch had only cost him $50 and he didn’t think it was right for him to hold onto this money. He needed to make a quick decision on what to do and began to walk faster towards baggage claim.
As he got through the crowds he saw the group of soldiers collecting their belongings. He knew he could do one more good deed to send them on their way. The soldiers saw Danny walking towards them and immediately broke into cheers. Danny was in their eyes a local hero.
This Was Where The Money Belonged
Danny walked towards the group of ten soldiers and shook their hands. He also gave them the money he had received on the journey. They couldn’t believe this man was giving them two lunches in one day!
Danny told them he knew it was a long way to the base. He figured the $75 would be better spent on their journey than in his wallet. The soldiers were extremely touched and thanked him profusely. Danny was only thinking about one thing as he walked to his rental car.
A Prayer Of Safe Return
Danny was walking to his rental car when he couldn’t help but say a silent prayer for the brave soldiers on his flight. Danny knew the life and sacrifice of a soldier were dangerous. He said a prayer for the safe return, he wondered what else he could do to help those that were giving their lives for his freedom.
Danny decided to share his story on Facebook. He wanted to encourage others to think twice about helping the brave people that fight for our country. The experience on the plane had been heart-warming and he knew he had to share it with as many people as possible.
Love What Matters In Your Community
Danny decided to write a post on Facebook under the group page, Love What Matters. It was a space where a lot of people shared their heart-warming stories with members of the military. It’s not easy being a member of the military but it is also difficult to be a military family.
Danny remembered how the flight attendant had said her son served in Iraq, and he knew this story would resonate with other families in the community. He wrote a detailed account of the story and made sure to put an eloquent last sentence that touched on everyone’s heartstrings.
A Cheque Cashed With Service
What so many people forget is what Danny detailed in his post. He wrote, “A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount of ‘up to including my life’.
The price of one sandwich was $5, and Danny didn’t think twice about the cost. But the brave soldiers didn’t even have enough for this meal. After everything, they were sacrificing Danny knew it was the right decision and wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again if he could.