As you all know, one of the wonderful things about traveling, is the interesting people you come in contact with.

On my family's return flight from London last week, I was in the aisle of the two seats along the side, while my family was just across.
I saw an elderly gentleman making his way down the aisle. Old, but not frail. He was the window seat. Turns out his name was Patrick Fry, Capt. Patrick Fry. He was from the south of England, and a retired British Airways pilot. He flys 90% free on BA, but stand-by. He was going to a birthday party for his late wife's twin in Windsor, Ontario, and couldn't chance not getting a seat, so bought one on this KLM flight to Detroit.

A more entertaining seat mate, I've never had. Off and on for the next eight hours, he regaled me with stories of his exploits all over the globe. He was 82, and needed no glasses to read the paper, or drive. 'Lucky Pat', I found he was referred to as. I guess so; out of 18 pilots on a bombing mission in WWII, he was one of twelve to return, and the only survivor to this day, of those twelve. He sunk two German destroyers off the coast of France, and was awarded a special recognition by the French, who came and found him after the war.

Stories of flying charters to Mecca, and not being able to stay there. No 'infidels' allowed. Had to fly somewhere else for the night, and then return after his passengers completed their 'pilgrimmage'. Then tipped the crew a large sum of money for the inconvenience. On and on the stories went, and I couldn't have enjoyed it more.

When he sat down, my wife said, 'He looks like a talker'. She's so good at spotting that kind of thing. She was right, but this time, I didn't have to feign sleep to escape some meaningless prattle. No, I felt honored. Obviosly, the pilot agreed, as he came back halfway through the flight to pay his respects to Capt. Pat, and have a short conversation.

One of those happy coincidences that seem to happen more when you travel this big world of ours, and open your mind to all the possibilities. Godspeed, Capt. Pat.

Great story, ajs.

AWESOME. And cheers to you for being an appropriately appreciative audience. Often these kinds of encounters are what truly make a trip. Thanks for the smile.

Great story. He sounds like my old Great Uncle Harry.

Uncle Harry was a career serviceman in the RAF. During the war, he was stationed at the British Embassy in Moscow. He met Stalin and Churchill. He escaped by train when the Germans arrived. He came to visit me recently, driving 200 miles with his new girlfriend in tow. He wanted to visit whilst he could still drive. He's still driving and dating??!! The guy's 92!

They were made of stiffer stuff back then.

ttt

In the late 60's a friend of mine was traveling in Europe with her sister. On a train trip her sister was snoozing and my friend got involved in conversation with the older gentleman in the compartment. Turned out to be Omar Bradley! (And the sister snoozed away -

Hello ajs, thank you for sharing a beautiful story with us. I am never had the pleasure of having a delightful seatmate as you did.

I was blessed though to have Lt.General James V. Edmundson for a brother-in-law. A US Postoffice was recently renamed in his honor. Via Google a lot of websites can be accessed that gives the information on how he served his country.

Our veterans are dying day by day and soon there will be none left. May we never forget them and the sacrifices they and their loved ones made for us.