Giving Up His First-Class Seat for a WWII Veteran

Moshe Feder, an observant Jewish businessman from Lakewood, NJ, was waiting for his flight at Newark Airport. Dressed in his work polo with the logo of his company, Modular Closets, and wearing a black kippah, he was preparing for a business trip when an announcement came over the loudspeaker.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the airline employee announced, “we have the honor of having a 96-year-old former lieutenant who served in World War II on this flight. He will be seated in row 15, and I’m sure he would appreciate it if you took a moment to thank him for his service to our country.”

As Moshe listened, he glanced at his first-class ticket. He had been fortunate to receive an upgrade but now he saw an opportunity to do something meaningful. Without hesitation, he walked up to the airline representative at the gate.

“I’d like to offer my first-class seat to the veteran,” he said. “He deserves it far more than I do.”

The flight attendant was visibly moved. She picked up the microphone again and shared the gesture with the waiting passengers. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to recognize this incredible act of kindness. A passenger has just offered his first-class seat to our honored veteran.”

For a moment, there was silence—then the entire waiting area erupted into applause. Strangers smiled at Moshe, nodding their approval. He felt a mix of emotions—surprise at being singled out and a deep sense of fulfillment. He had simply done what felt right, but now, with dozens of people looking at him with admiration, he realized something profound: Every action we take in public reflects our values. Small moments like this have the power to inspire others.

Before boarding, the airline representative escorted Moshe to the first-class section to personally introduce him to the veteran. The elderly man shook Moshe’s hand firmly and thanked him warmly. Moshe, now seated in economy, knew that a little extra legroom was a small price to pay for the privilege of showing gratitude to someone who had served.

The story, however, didn’t end there.

Because he had given up his first-class seat, Moshe disembarked later than he normally would have. When he finally arrived at the car rental counter, another customer noticed the company logo on his shirt.

“Hey, do you install closets in apartment buildings?” the man asked.

It turned out he was a manager at a major real estate company—one Moshe’s business had been trying to connect with for years. That “chance” meeting led to a long-term, fruitful relationship.

“The only reason I met that person was because I had been delayed those few extra minutes after giving up my seat,” Moshe said. “I truly believe that when we choose to do the right thing, good things have a way of finding us.”

As someone who often traveled for work, Moshe realized that business trips aren’t just about closing deals—they’re about how we show up in the world. If we keep our eyes open, life presents us with countless opportunities to be kind, to make a difference, and to leave a positive impression of who we are.

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