A Canadian Captain, HKG based retired after almost 30 years of impeccable service, back in 2015 or '16 (can't recall correctly).
I had the privilege of operating his repatriation flight to YVR. When he came up front to say "Hello gents" he explained that he was given second last row in Y class as his "Thank you for your service".
(Not that we would allow him to sit in Y class.....)