Today, I had a great honor.

I was walking past a long line that snaked back from one of the airport checkpoints, on my way back to my work area. I was deep in thought and took four or five steps past him, before the light went on.

I turned and walked back to the lone soldier in that line. He was dark haired, young and anxious. A buck sergeant on his way home from Iraq.

I took him by the arm and in a voice, not too loud to embarrass him, but, loud enough to be heard by ten people before and after him, said; "Soldiers don't stand in line at this airport. They go through First Class!"

I escorted him to the First Class checkpoint. He shook my hand and thanked me. I told him that he didn't need to thank me. It was my pleasure and that it was me that should thank him.

My hope is that some day when I am gone and he is middle aged, that he will take some soldier by the arm and show him the way to First Class.

I have no doubt, but, that he will do it.