I copied and pasted the following story below, it was so nice and I wanted to share it with Fodorites:

"Recently had a nice experience with a United gate agent and a couple of young Marines headed off to serve.

I was standing at my gate and noticed a couple of young Marines (one was wearing a Marine Corps T-shirt) talking over by the window. I went up to them and started to talk to them. They were connecting on this United flight to their overseas flight. We discussed various things and as I said Good Luck to them, I got their names.

I went up to the gate agent and told him I would like to upgrade these 2 Marines with 500 milers and could he help? Kerchuckata went the ticket printer, the agent paged them and when they came up told them that I had upgraded them (before anyone gripes, we departed with empty First seats, so nobody was illegally denied).

They were thrilled. When we boarded they handed me a camera and asked me to take take their picture in their big old First seats. It was a great flight, and the FAs really treated them like royalty.

When I returned home, I checked my E-Upgrade Summary and no upgrades had been deducted. So the United gate agent surreptitiously contributed quite a bit to the plan as well, it seems."

Bravo! I love hearing about nice things people do for one another, especially our troops!

FANTASTIC! A real heartwarmer!

BIG Grin. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to pass this one on...

I'm praying that they return safely.

Such a heartwarming story amidst all the protesting and jerks like the one on the awards show. As I watch and read all about the protests that have virtually shut down some cities I can't help but say, all you screaming people running crazy through the streets and vehemently against this war, remember the ones who are most scared and truly affected by this war. The ones who are fighting it and their families. Our troops deserve better that this. Thanks petlover.

Very touching story-we need more people like you in the world.We should all say a prayer for the brave troops and their families.I hope I can meet up with some along my travels to the US (I am Canadian) so I can shake their hands and say THANK YOU.

This is so nice, I'm sharing it with everyone I know as well!

Thank you. What a wonderful thing you and the United agent did.
My prayers are for these young ones safe return.

What a great story.

What a great story! They certainly deserved to be there.

Wow! What a great story!

A girlfriend of mine and I were in a bar recently and there were a bunch of marines that were getting ready to ship out. We picked up their entire tab and never told them.

Petlover.... a great story, thanks for sharing!

Go Travel, That must have given you a very good feeling! Can you imagine their surprise!!