My Kind of Marine
>
>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 U.S. Marine Corps uniform
>is seen slowly walking forward up the aisle. Stopping the flustered mother
>with an upraised hand, the courtly, soft-spoken Marine leans down and
>motioning toward his chest, 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 cabin
>attendants touch his sleeve. "Excuse me, sir," she asks quietly, "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
>wing, service stars, battle ribbons and explained that they entitle me to
>throw one passenger out the plane door, on any flight I choose and that I
>was just about to make my selection for this flight."