It was 4 Aug 1976. I was an Airman 2nd-Class in the USAF, on the way to my First duty assignment at Incirlik Turkey. I was in uniform(walking Tall, feeling Proud) sitting at JFK Airport waiting to Board Pan-Ams’ “Clipper of the Skies” Bound for Rome. This little Girl,(probably about 6-years Old) came up to Me and asked Me “Why I killed Babies?”(It was NOT a good time to be in Service). I told her that “I didn’t kill Babies”, but this and the Looks I was getting from some of the Other people there Hurt. When I was growing up, soldiers were looked at with Pride & Honor. I was sitting there Totally Bummed Out when an Average-looking Italian girl came & sat down next to Me. She Introduced Herself as “Maria”, and told Me that what the Little Girl said was very Lousy, and that not all people think that way. She said her Dad had been a Career Navy man, and she had a couple of times seen him endure similar sentiments. She was on her way to Venice to visit some relatives and study abroad. We talked for a few Minutes when they called for First Class to board. She said Maybe We’d “see each other again” and Headed down the Rampway A short while Later My row was called & I boarded(In the back of the Plane). We took off, climbed out & levelled Off. The Stewardess’s served Dinner, It got Dark & I took a Nap. I awoke a short time later to see Maria standing there, and she asked me if I wanted to have a drink in the Upstairs lounge. I told her I didn’t think I was allowed up there. She said “Yes you can, because you’re My Guest”. So I went with her Upstairs. We had a couple of Rum & Cokes, and then I excused myself to use the Toilet. I was surprised by just how much more room the was in those bathrooms as compared to the ones down in the back of the plane. I opened the door to go back out and she was standing there, but before I could leave she pushed me back inside, locked the door, and somewhere in the Darkness out over the North Atlantic We joined the Mile High Club. We said good-bye in Rome & I never saw her again. Maria…If by some chance you happen to read this, I would like to Thank You once again for making Me feel So Much Better that Night. You truly “Made My Day”
