My husband and I took our Son Christopher on a flight from Seattle to Los Angeles. My step son Christopher had Duchene’s Muscular Dystrophy. When we boarded the plane in Seattle, a very nice pilot by the name of Gary, asked us if we wanted to show Christopher the cockpit. My husband carried him in for a look around. Chris was 15 years old at the time. His face just lit up, and he told us that when he became well he wanted to become a pilot. It made me cry. The flight was wonderful and the entire crew was just great to Chris. When we landed Gary asked us if he could have our address so he could send Chris a card. Chris was so excited that this kind man wanted to write to him.

Several weeks later Chris received a card in the mail. It was from Gary, inside was a beautiful card and attached to it was a pair of Wings. He told Chris that he had earned them while he was in the service and wanted Chris to have them. We put the wings on Chris and he just did not want to take them off. After that all he did was talk about the pilot that sent him a pair if wings, he even took them to school to show his friends. About three months later Chris had his 16th birthday. That Saturday there came knock on the door. It was the pilot that sent him the wings. He wanted to see how Chris was doing. He had a surprise for Chris; he brought him one of his old pilot jackets that he also wore in the Service. Chris was just beside himself and of course I cried. We immediately put the Wings on the Jacket and took some pictures of Chris wearing his new flight jacket. I have never seen him so excited. Gary told us that he lived in Fontana and was on his way to LA for a flight and wanted to see Chris.

Six months later, on August 10, 2002 Chris passed away. We sent Gary an e-mail about Chris’s death, but it was returned to us. It was unfortunate that we were not able to reach this gentleman that has shown such kindness and compassion to our son, but he has made an impact upon our family. My older son is now flying and teaching out of Cable Air. It seems that my son is living Chris’s dream, all because of the incredible kindness of one person. We still have the Jacket and the Card that Gary and sent to Christopher. The Jacket was his prize possession.

About four and a half years later, I was looking on line for airline prices. I came across a web site looking for stories about wonderful customer service experiences, while traveling on Alaska Airlines. I thought that now was my chance to let the Airline know about Gary and what he had done for Chris. Three days later, I looked on the website to see if my letter was published. To my surprise, it was there.

The next week, I received a call from Floyd telling me that Gary had called him and said that the airline had been trying to get in touch with me. I went on line and there it was, an e-mail from Alaska Airlines asking my permission to publish my letter in their January 2007 In-flight Magazine. I was shocked and honored. No one had ever published anything of mine before. They sent me two copies of the magazine, which I will cherish forever. I was thankful that now Gary would be recognized for what he had done.

Two months later, I received a telephone call from Gary asking if he could come over, he had something for me. I couldn’t imagine what it could be, but I was excited. When he arrived, he was carrying a big white box. He opened it up and inside was a model of a 737 Alaska Airline Airplane on a wooden pedestal. There was also a note from the CEO he went out of his way to make a difference. thanking me for writing the letter. I was touched by the airlines thoughtfulness.

I asked Gary if the airlines had rewarded or acknowledge him for being so kind to Christopher. He did say that they had given him a certificate of recognition.

Since then Gary has been promoted to Captain, my son is still teaching flying lessons.

Credit: Jean submitted this story to StoryLog