Back in October 2013, I boarded a flight that I wasn’t originally supposed to be on. I wasn’t feeling well and so I postponed my flight by a day. Little did I know then that because of this change, I would end up on what would turn into the most emotional flight of my life. It’s now 12 years later and still, I think of this flight often, but especially on Veteran’s Day. Here’s what made it so emotional. RELATED: Travel Tip: Give Your Upgrade to a Soldier
Delta Flight 2255 from Atlanta to Los Angeles seemed to be an ordinary flight with the exception of Candy, who was the most loving flight attendant I’ve ever encountered. Besides using her southern charm to quickly defuse every situation, she began her welcome announcement by thanking the handful of uniformed soldiers on-board for serving our country. Her poignant message was followed by applause and put into perspective that none of us would be able to do what we do if it weren’t for these brave men and women.
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But this transcontinental flight turned out to be everything but ordinary. We later learned, when the captain got on the PA system about 45 minutes prior to landing, that we were transporting a fallen soldier. The plane went quiet as he explained that there was a military escort on-board and asked that everyone remain seated for a couple of minutes so the soldiers could get off first. He also warned us not to be alarmed if we saw fire trucks since Los Angeles greets their fallen military with a water cannon salute. See the video of this extraordinary experience below.
A few minutes after touchdown, we did indeed have a water cannon salute, which I’d previously only experienced on happy occasions like inaugural flights. This time, the water glistening on the windowpanes looked like tears.
Passengers in the airport must have been worried when they saw our plane pull into gate 69A, as we had a full police and fire escort, front and back.
I was on the left side of the plane and later realized that the family could be seen off to the right, standing with the United States Army Honor Guard. According to Wikipedia, each military branch has its own honor guard, usually military in nature, and is composed of volunteers who are carefully screened. One of the primary roles of honor guards is to provide funeral honors for fallen comrades.
When the jet door opened, another military officer addressed the escort who was standing at attention. He then stepped on the plane and told us passengers, “I just addressed the escort. It is a sworn oath to bring home, to the family, the fallen.” He paused and then said, “Today you all did that, you are all escorts, escorts of the heart.” He then thanked us for our time and walked off the plane.
As you can imagine, everyone was silent and no one got up, not even that person from the back row who always tries to be the first off the plane. I’m sure that most had meteor-sized lumps in their throats and tears in their eyes like I did.
It only got more emotional when I deplaned. There were many passengers, who are normally in a hurry to get home or make a connection, standing by the window to witness something truly moving. To see the Honor Guard and family waiting, while LAX baggage handlers and a military loadmaster removed the flag-covered casket first from the cargo hold, was humbling to say the least. I’m not sure if it was the fallen soldier’s mother or wife who I watched slowly approach the coffin while a few other family members, wrapped in blankets, stood near with a dozen or so of the Honor Guards standing in salute.
As soon as I saw her reach out to put her hand on her baby’s casket, I walked away.
This ordinary flight became extraordinary and is one that I will never forget.
JOHNNY’S NOTE: I had no idea this story and video would strike a chord with so many people. I’ve received literally thousands of comments and emails but one of the most impactful was the one left on Yahoo from reader Indiana Joan. She said:
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Heart rending. Thank you for sharing.
Isnt it a shame that our govt. is spending the lives of our precious sons and daughters in a war such as Afganistan. We need such people in our society now at home with their courage and principles and honor. I am so glad people appreciate the sacrifice of the fallen, but bring home all their brothers and sisters now.
John- thank you for telling this story. You were right on the fox interview-too many of our countrymen don’t appreciate our military and the sacrifice they make. They daily sacrifices of our men/women in uniform are far greater than most even understand. The training is extremely dangerous-the hours suck-the time away from family attacks us from the inside out, and the pay is less than that at a McDonalds for many of our military. Therefore, it is important to understand-for the masses-it is not a job, but a calling. Those who answer it deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration. Anyone who doesn’t get it, doesn’t deserve the god-given rights they have when they are born, or emigrate to The United States of America. This is poignant stuff-and a lesson that many Americans need to learn. Thank you for helping teach them! God bless you. Matthew S. Harrison
this was a stunning tribute to our troops and brought tears to my eyes as well. god bless all who serve and protect us.
I don’t really know who you are, but I saw your piece on FoxNews via a link on my FB, and glad I did. I felt you were so very sincere and real, which is a rare find in our day. Thanks for you work here. I can’t ever afford to fly, but if I did I would consult your site for this reason alone. Thanks again
What an honor! thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this. It needed to be seen by more than just those present, and you did that beautifully and honorably.
Proud Navy veteran, and wife of USMC veteran
I don’t have many words to say, except “thank you.” Thank you for sharing your experience with us and letting us share in being reminding how truly grateful and thankful we should be to our men and women of the UNITED STATES MILITARY FORCES!
People who want to know more about the honor given to fallen soldiers should watch the movie “Taking Chance” with Kevin Bacon. It follows a fallen marine from when he falls to his home and what happens along the way
That is exactly what I wanted to share. “Taking Chance” was the most heart rending account of a fallen Marine being escorted home to his family. The true story of a young man who was loved, died far from home & will be missed forever by everyone who knew him!
I own that movie “Taking Chance”. It’s right where I can see it whenever I look at the DVD collection. I’ve watched it so many times that I can’t count them. And each and every time, I get choked up, cry hysterically and can’t speak after the movie. My husband of 40 years was there for Desert Shield/Desert Storm while I was pregnant with our son. I told him before he was deployed that if they came to my door with news, that I would demand to see for myself. I know now that that statement was selfish, but I was scared, pregnant and had a 15 year old daughter at home who attended childbirth classes with me ‘just in case’. Luckily, no one came to the door, he came home 36 hours before our son was born and I had both my husband and daughter with me in Labor & Delivery. But back to “Taking Chance” – a movie deserving a place on everyone’s shelf and not to collect dust. Very well portrayed. My favorite part – when the officer escorting Chance (played by Kevin Bacon) asked the young driver why he was driving Chance to the airport – the driver’s response “it’s what I can do to honor these men” or something to that effect.
I never miss an opportunity to remind folks to remember our troop and support them everyday to help boost their morale. Follow @fso_USAsoldiers They send care packages to our soldiers serving abroad.
I had the honor of being the Captain on an escort flight about two years ago. It was probably the most emotional moment in my flying life.
I blogged about it here:
http://capnaux.blogspot.com/2012/07/interlude-flying-fallen-hero.html
I too experienced this on a Delta flight from ATL to Pensacola,Fl. Passengers were asked to remained seated until the soldier’s casket was removed from the plane. So sad that several passengers seated in first class stood and walked off the plane why the ceremony was in progress. So many seem ungrateful for the freedom they do not deserve.