Sometimes the most idiotic of moves can be reversed by people doing the right thing as the following Fox News story from December 8, 2013 will point out about Ewalt “Walt” Shatz.
The story, entitled: ‘World War II veteran en route to Pearl Harbor ceremony booted from flight,” concerns a 90-year-old WWII veteran who had been invited to Hawaii to take part in an event celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor.
Ewalt “Walt” Shatz, had booked a direct flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu on December 4, 2013. The man was traveling alone and he also suffers from macular degeneration. Mr. Shatz made it to the airport in good shape, but upon arrival was told he had been booted from the flight.
At first he was told that he was only one of two passengers to get thrown off the flight (apparently, bad weather forced the airline to reduce the passenger load), and then he was told it was 41 people. He had no one to call and really not much recourse.
According the article:
“Shatz reportedly told two United desk agents — and a supervisor — he was a WWII vet invited to attend a remembrance ceremony at the USS Arizona memorial to mark the attack’s anniversary.”
It might also be worth mentioning that the reason Mr. Shatz was invited by the Navy was that in the middle of Pearl Harbor attack, while enemy fighter planes were bombing and strafing around him, he manned a .50 caliber machine gunand managed to shoot down one of the attacking planes. He was 18 at the time.
The airline re-booked him on an American Airlines flight scheduled to arrive eight hours later, right before midnight.
Meanwhile, back in ethics land
Someone at LAX (most probably a veteran) got word of the plight of the 90-year-old hero and contacted other service people in Hawaii. One of the servicemen who received word of the situation posted the following (according to the article):
“’Getting ready to put my khakis on and go greet a WWII vet (Pearl Harbor Survivor)… If you are on island and would like to come greet and honor this hero, come on out,’” Navy Chief Benjiman Scott wrote in part on his Facebook page, according to the paper.”
Indeed, more than 70 people were at the airport to greet Mr. Shatz when he came off the plane at 12 midnight. He was treated like a hero and apparently everyone wanted their picture taken with him. He was embarrassed by the attention and he maintained that he was hardly a hero at all.
Everyone could have had a choice
My first reaction to what had happened is to understand the thought process at United as to who gets to board a flight – and who doesn’t. Whether it was two people re-booked, or 41, if a choice is presented, why strand an old man, with no relatives, who is going blind and understandably frightened?
OK, let’s say that the good folks at the counter – or the gate – had no “administrative” choice in the matter. How about an ethical decision?
Would it have been beyond the realm of possibility for the gate agent or the supervisor to make this absurd statement?
“Ladies and Gentleman, we have a 90-year-old WWII veteran who was a hero at Pearl Harbor standing here. He is on his way to Hawaii today to be honored by the Navy. Unfortunately, we have to bump two (or 41) of you because of headwinds. Would anyone be willing to give up your seat?”
I know there are more than a few self-indulgent among us. There are those who would have never considered giving up an hour or two of sun-bathing in exchange to show their admiration for an aging hero.
However, I also know there are many more really good people with good hearts. Had I heard the announcement, I would have been the first in line to offer my seat. I’m sure that you would have as well.
Mr. Shatz made it to the ceremony on time.
I am hopeful that along with the terrifying memories he had endured 72 years prior, he will also remember the ethical and loving people who did their best to thank him. And to the 70 plus people at the airport and to all of those who spread and forwarded messages, my heart overflows with gratitude.