by Dan Oswald
I’m sitting in the airport in Austin, Texas, and the faint and rare sound of a bagpipe can be heard in the background. It seems, at the very least, out of place in a major-city airport. As the sound grows louder, it’s clear that whoever is playing the instrument is drawing closer. In the distance, I can see a man in a plaid kilt walking down the hall toward where I’m sitting. And as he draws nearer, the people to my left rise to their feet. I, too, must stand—if only to see why the bagpipe-playing, kilt-wearing gentleman is garnering so much attention.
I then see that the bagpiper is leading a procession. Behind him, sitting statue-straight in rolling chairs, are 14 World War II veterans. I know this because they’re wearing identical caps proclaiming their status. The veterans are lined up two men to a row, just as if they were marching down the hall in formation.
All the people I can see—other than the 14 veterans—are now on their feet. And they’re applauding these aged heroes as they move down the airport hallway. The veterans, who all must be nearing if not beyond 90 years of age, are politely waving to the crowd. The sight is so moving that many people in the crowd are recording it with their phones, and tears can been seen rolling down more than one person’s cheeks.
That’s when it happened. The veteran in the last row nearest to me looks over and spots a young boy maybe seven or eight years of age and crisply salutes the young onlooker. The boy raises his hand to his forehead and salutes the old soldier back. Two people, separated by three generations, share a moment, and all of us within sight get to experience it. And then the procession moves on, but the impression from the scene I had witnessed does not.
What this story has to do with management or leadership I’m not sure. But it was so profound of an experience that I had to share it. So let me offer a few thoughts that ran through my head as I reflected on what I had seen. Can you imagine being a part of something that—70 years later—the mere fact that you participated in it causes people to rise to their feet and applaud you? That you were a part of something so significant and memorable that people who weren’t born until 20, 40, even 60 years later want to honor you for your involvement?
I’m not a soldier, never have been and never will be. I’m not a police officer, firefighter, or any other type of professional that puts himself or herself in harm’s way to help others. Like most of you, I go to work day in and day out safely tucked away between the four walls of my office. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t aspire to leave our mark on this world. It doesn’t mean we can’t make this world a better place for others. Maybe not in the same way those veterans did when they took up their arms to defend our country, but we can still have an impact on the lives around us.
I was asked the other day whether the people who work for me can achieve their goals and dreams at our company. Sure, we talk about goals—but can I really help people achieve their dreams? What I’ve discovered is that yes, I can.
You see, some people dream of having a good-paying job that allows them to provide a good home for their families. Others dream of having meaningful work they truly enjoy or a work schedule that allows them to attend to an aging parent. And there are those who want to provide customers with products and services they truly need and appreciate.
Everyone has his or her own dreams. It’s your job as a manager to understand what they are and how you can help them achieve those dreams. Because if you can help people achieve their dreams, you’ll have a wonderfully motivated, loyal, and hardworking workforce. Now that’s a dream of most managers!
Beautifully written and lump-in-my-throat inspiring. We have so much to be grateful for, thanks, in part, to such heroes as those honored at the airport. Thanks for sharing this, Dan.
Thank you for the realitiy check. In the insanity of the workday it was nice to read something that truly mattered.
Dear Mr. Oswald,
Thank you for sharing your “Finding inspiration from a profound moment at the airport” experience. Both my Mother and Father, Kathleen and Charles, served in the military (met each other in the “Army-Air Corp”) and I am proud of their service and to be their daughter. They are both in Heaven now and I miss them very much.
Anne Marie
WOW!
What a wonderful opportunity you had to view and witness all that and then to take the time to share with us. Thanks so very much!
We are nearing May and Memorial Day (both the celebrated day—last Monday in May—this year, the 26th—and the traditional day, the 30th). Hopefully, your Letter will remind us to remember and to celebrate the lives of those who gave their all to defend all we have today. And also … not to forget the POWs still unaccounted for…
I was touched by the sincerity of each of these veterans who no doubt gave their all to protect and serve their country. For he onlookers it would mean that they would really desire to show their appreciation for these men. Yet I’m saddened to know that millions have died because of war and the resulting effects such as poverty, malnutrition, homelessness and the list goes on. But from all of this peace still eludes humankind. To not see this accomplished brings a lack of hope for the future for many, but for those who trust in a heavenly government that will provide peace and security for all righteous mankind it is a promising future. It is vital that many take to heart the words at Matthew 6:9,10 to pray for that Kingdom or heavenly government to take over the affairs of the earth because it is mankind’s only hope.
I was very moved by your airport experience and I wished I had been there to see that also. You make a very valid point – we, as managers, may not be able to change the world, but we may be able to help someone achieve their dreams. That is a sobering thought. Who doesn’t want to do that? The first step of course is finding out what those dreams are. Not everyone dreams for substantial wealth or an abundance of material possessions. Most people we come in contact with every day really do just want to make a living wage, take care of those they love, and feel somehow fulfilled doing it. Thanks for the reminder that there is something we can do.
Dan,
I have to say that this letter brought tears to my eyes. You see, my father flew 23 missions over Germany in a B-17. He is now 93 years old, and it never ceases to amaze him when he is thanked for his service. Whenever we travel, he is treated like a king by flight attendants, and invariably the pilot or co-pilot will come out to shake his hand. To see the treatment that he receives warms my heart, to know that he is a living part of history. I envy you for being able to take part is such a moving tribute to our WWII heroes.
Your article brought tears to my eyes. It was very graphic and moving. I could visualize the processional walking past you and the crowd. I had a dad who served in WWII but he is gone now. How nice it would have been for him to see such a sight and to know how much his service had been appreciated.
I agree with Joan, hope your article will remind all of us to appreciate those that served to keep us free and to never take that freedom for granted. Thank, not only, the soldiers but also their families for they have given a lot too.
We long for the day , sadly long gone in our country, when we stood and fought for something pure and uncorrupted. Those men you saw in the airport went off to stand for principle,not like now when it is all about principal. We have lost our way and we know it but feel impotent to find a path back to the place that we once were. So, we think all we can do is stand with tears in our eyes and applaud these heroes from an age gone by. May the day come when that little boy who saluted back leads us back to that place. The little boy represents our hopes and dreams for a return to Eden.
,
My two cents. Thanks for posting this story.
It was an emotional and inspiring story. I’m very glad to hear about people honoring our military as they have done so much for us over the years. Thank you for sharing.
Your article was well written and thought provoking. What can I do to make a positive difference in circle that I live in? It’s time for me to act. Your message is inspiring. Thanks~
Dan, thanks so much for sharing — I am wiping the tears away myself. I am in awe of the bravery of these WWII vets, and how everyone honors and respects them today (like Wanda and her father). In my travels I love to see people thanking our young soldiers, shaking their hands, and even buying their meals. In an airport bar, a young soldier in uniform was eating a sandwich and having a beer, when he asked for the bill he was told, “it’s been taken care of” and the surprised young man thanked the bartender. The bartender said, “thank you for serving and protecting our country.” Everyone at the bar clapped for him!
Thank you all for your kind words. I’m so glad I decided to share that story. Believe me what I wrote didn’t do justice to the moment, but I’m happy to know that it still made an impact.
The addition of the piper to the parade ties the old soldiers to a tradition far older even than they, of warriors who fought for their peoples’ freedom against overwhelming odds at places like Stirling and Bannockburn; whose love of freedom was carried by their descendants to America, and helped guide our own fight for independence and the establishment of our Republic.
The Scottish-American Military Society continues the tradition of the military as a defender of freedom and honoring old soldiers.
The “sitting in the airport in Austin” caught my eye, then (as a bagpiper myself) the “sound of a bagpipe” really drew me in. As I read the article though I realized it was much more than a story of music in an airport, it was a story of our continued gratitude for the greatest generation, respect for their courage and selfless service. I am forever grateful for their sacrifice, no matter how great or small. I wish I could have seen this glorious moment, you were fortunate to witness and participate. Thank you for sharing.