5 minute read
Seat 23A
Seat 23A
By Kevin Sparrock
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Ipurposely grabbed an 8 am flight to get some extra rest. I knew I would have a challenging game to officiate the night before when Syracuse plays Wake Forest in conference play. In the hotel room, I stayed up late to review game film and break down my performance. I had a 6 am wake up, and I made my way to the airport.
Amidst a pandemic, I am thankful that United Airlines kept my flight status. After being a frequent flyer for over 20 years, I just needed to fly a set number of segments to maintain my Silver status, and this allowed me to get that occasional free upgrade to the first-class cabin. I hadn’t received an upgrade in a while, but to my surprise, when boarding began, I received an email instructing me that I the upgraded to Seat 1C. Even with a short hour and a half flight, I was appreciative.
For obvious safety reasons, COVID19 caused United Airlines to change its boarding process. Currently, passengers start boarding from the rear of the plane, and it didn’t matter that I was in first class. I would be boarding last, but I wasn’t in a rush. I could avoid overcrowding on the jetway, and being in first class after a challenging game, felt like Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing and a side of gravy. Don’t forget the mashed potatoes.
The United Airlines gate agent announced, “Now boarding row 23”.
A young woman in military camouflage uniform with a colossal backpack stood up and began to approach the jetway. I was too far away to see what branch of the service she represented, but I assumed she was either Army or National Guard. She might have been all of 5 foot 5 inches tall. The backpack was almost as big as her body, but she was doing her thing. She threw the bag over her shoulder and was on her way. She ended a conversation with a fellow passenger, smiling as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
She’s in 23. That’s the last row of the plane. The thought came to mind to give up my first-class seat to the young lady. Giving up my seat wasn’t a first for me. Once, my wife and I traveled together on vacation, and I could get her an upgrade. My wife wanted to sit with me during the flight, and there weren’t
She’s in 23. That’s the last row of the plane.
any other first-class seats available, so we decided to give up the first-class seat to a young woman who was traveling alone. I can remember two other times I had done this, but I never had an opportunity to give up my seat to anyone in the military. If I had boarded early, I would have never noticed she was in the last Row.
I waited for all the passengers to board, and I walked up to the Agent. “Ma’am, can I change my seat?”
The United gate Agent’s face looked puzzled. “I’m sitting in first class, and there was a young woman who boarded earlier who is in the military. Can I change my seat with her?”
The Agent paused, “Oh my God, that is so nice. Oh my, she’s in the last Row.”
After a brief evaluation of the seating, the Agent scanned my boarding pass. “I can put you in an exit row Mr. Sparrock.” I knew my airline status could leverage me into a more comfortable seat.
“I appreciate that, Ma’am. One other thing. Please don’t tell her that I gave her my seat.”
“She said OK. Don’t worry.”
I boarded as usual. The gate agent was in front of me as she approached the Service woman at the back of the plane. I looked over her shoulder, and I could see that she was seated in seat 23A. She was in the last Row, the last seat of the plane. If you are familiar with those seats, you know the seats don’t recline. I felt joy doing something good for someone. I grabbed my seat, put my head down, and closed my eyes.
The story didn’t end there.
We landed in Washington DC, and I patiently waited for everyone to deplane. I had a checked bag, so I wasn’t in a hurry. The flight attendant approached me as I was getting up. She extended her hand and said, “Good morning, sir. The young lady that you gave your seat up for wanted you to have this. She was a first responder when the capital was attacked last month.”
She handed me a red and white patch with black text that read, Capital Guardians, 113th Security Forces Squadron. The backside of the patch is velcro. My guess is she probably detached it from her uniform and gave it to the flight attendant.
Tears welled up in my eyes. I was frozen, which felt like a good minute or two. She was there on January 6, 2021. She was at the United States Capital when rioters, thugs, and looters attacked. This patch symbolized her contribution, her service to our country during a horrible time.
I’m not sure why that patch impacted me. It was more than this young woman being in the service. She bears witness to the nonsense that occurred at our capital. I am a military man that served in Marine Corps. As an African American, this attempted siege represents the double standard of our country. The privilege some have over others. And she was there.
I am privileged to have this job to officiate basketball at a high level. With this job, I must do my best to figure out what’s right and do what’s right for others. This service woman was in a position to do right, and she did right.
In the end, I thought I was helping someone out, but I was gifted. I honestly didn’t want anyone to know, and I didn’t want anything in return. Giving up my seat was all the joy I needed for the day. I thought that was the end of it, but that small patch from this woman expressing her appreciation made me skip through the rest of the week. I have to find a place on my wall for this beautiful patch that symbolizes this large gesture of hope.
I boarded as usual. The gate agent was in front of me as she approached the Service woman at the back of the plane. I looked over her shoulder, and I could see that she was seated in seat 23A. She was in the last Row, the last seat of the plane. If you are familiar with those seats, you know the seats don’t recline. I felt joy doing something good for someone. I grabbed my seat, put my head down, and closed my eyes.
