Chick-Fil-A Employee Jumps Through Drive-Thru Window to Save Choking Boy
If anyone deserves a raise, it's this guy.
*Featured image contains photo by Jace Miller
Can you remember the last time you went through a fast food drive-thru? It was likely uneventful, even boring, the worst part being the wait. However, this routine stop at a Georgia Chick-Fil-A was anything but.
Shortly after the lunch rush on one unassuming Monday afternoon in Columbus, Georiga, Zack “Cowboy” Kokenzie quite literally sprung into action when he heard some alarming cries coming from a vehicle in the drive-thru line.
How One Chick-Fil-A Employee Saved a Life
According to the branch's Facebook page, "The cries were coming from an SUV just outside the drive thru window [and] a father was seen rushing to the back of his SUV."
Luckily for everyone involved, the man behind the window when this all occurred was Columbus High School graduate and Eagle Scout, Zack “Cowboy” Kokenzie.
Zack earned the nickname “Cowboy” for nearly breaking his finger while riding a horse that tried to buck him off, and has gained a reputation among those who know him for remaining calm in high stress situations. This was all put to the test when he heard those cries.
Kokenzie followed the panicked cries, and noticed what seemed to be a father and another customer attempting to free a child in the backseat of a vehicle. The seat belt appeared to be wrapped around the child’s windpipe, and they were unable to breathe.
Kokenzie jumped into action. Another customer had left his vehicle and was trying unsuccessfully to assist the father in removing the seat belt by reaching through the back window. Fellow team member Zachary Bullock passed a pair of scissors through the window and Zack “Cowboy” Kokenzie calmly walked over to the rear of the vehicle and cut through the seatbelt in seconds, freeing the child.
“This could have been far worse, but Zack and others were in the right place, with the right training and the right attitude to potentially save the life of one of our customers,” said Alex Vann, the restaurant’s owner and operator wrote on the company's Facebook page. “We are glad everyone is all right.”
How One Chick-Fil-A Employee Proved Not All Heroes Wear Capes
In a bizarre stance of coincidence enough, this is not the first time a Chick-Fil-A employee specifically has saved a choking child. In 2019, 19-year-old Chick-fil-A manger, Logan Simmons, was hailed a hero after he leaped through the drive-thru window to save a boy who was choking.
In that case, a seatbelt was also wrapped around the child's neck, which Logan cut free using a pocketknife. We're not sure what it is about Chick-Fil-A, but they seem to have the right personnel to navigate life-saving situations in the drive-thru line.
In both eerily similar instances, the young employees were justifiably hailed as heroes, possessing a calm demeanor that many might not have maintained in that same situation. Though just kids in the eyes of many, these heroes are truly deserving of the praise.
You never know when you might need to jump into action, and these two were ready, with a heroic bravery and lifesaving quick-thinking.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.