“Did you hear me, ma’am?” Reese snapped, clicking his fingers in front of my face. “Show me your identification.” A young female private sitting nearby looked uncomfortable. She seemed ready to say something, but when she noticed Reese’s rank, she lowered her eyes. I felt sorry for her. I’d spent thirty-one years working in an elementary school, and I knew what happened when people became too frightened to speak against someone who abused authority. I reached into my purse, touched the blue lanyard holding my visitor’s pass, and then withdrew my hand. I had followed every procedure to enter the base. I didn’t owe this man an explanation for his entertainment.

“Sergeant, I’d like you to move your hands away from my table,” I said calmly. He laughed. “You think you can give me orders?” His friends chuckled again. I looked directly at his name tape. “Reese, correct?” He seemed surprised that I knew his name. Then I glanced at the blue heron emblem on his uniform. “Tell me something. Do you know the history of the unit represented by that crest?” His smile disappeared for a second. “Of course I do.” I nodded toward the dining hall wall behind him. “Then perhaps you should read what’s written there before you decide who deserves respect.”