Abusive Alcoholic Gets to Board Airplane Before Son of a KIA Marine

“All active duty military are able to board at this time.”

Thank fuck, thought Lance Corporal Smuchateli. He reeked of booze and was leaving the DC area because he drunkenly beat his wife and daughter the day before. Figured fleeing to Mexico was his best option now.

Suddenly, he noticed a kid with red, puffy eyes staring at him. He scoffed in the kid’s direction, wondering what the fuck all was wrong with him.

BREAK

John, 16, only had one memory of his father. John was clutching onto his leg, 14 years ago, begging his dad not to go. He died two months later in Kandahar while trying to evacuate a fellow Marine that had been shot. That Marine was now John’s godfather. They had both visited John’s dad at Arlington National Cemetery.

“All active duty military are able to board at this time.”

John’s head picked up. He could feel the tears streaming down his face. He saw a few men and women, all of whom he imagined conducted themselves with honor, board the plane. He took comfort in the knowing good men and women were carrying on his father’s legacy.