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.
RELATED: 48 Ways to Honor a Veteran For Their Service On Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day
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:
RELATED READING
Want more travel news, tips and deals? Sign up to Johnny Jet’s free newsletter and check out these popular posts: The Travel Gadget Flight Attendants Never Leave Home Without and 12 Ways to Save Money on Baggage Fees. Follow Johnny Jet on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for all of my travel posts.
This friend and relative of many veterans and former emergency responder was thoroughly gutted. And I’d wept with gold star parents as well as over my own fallen brothers.
We take for granted our Freedom and Liberty, which is paid for at a dear price.
This is not the time for political BS. This is strictly a time to mourn loss of life and for the family of the fallen. Thank you, Johnny Jet, for an amazing story that has truly touched me. Wow.
I have been privileged to serve as honor guard for returning Marines as well as providing honors at the funerals. It is moving every time, it is hard every time, it is an honor every time.
Semper Fi.
I am very grateful that this story was posted, so thank you for that. I do have a suggestion, however … I think you should have avoided saying that “most” Americans don’t appreciate what our soldiers do. I thought that making that statement on broadcast news was totally rude and an unnecessary politically slanted comment at a time when politics should have NEVER entered the moment. Maybe few have experienced the way fallen soldiers are escorted and don’t fully appreciate that kind of experience, but I’d venture to say that MOST Americans — even those who would express anti-war sentiments — still appreciate how our young men and women put their lives on the line for us. The reactionary of our culture seem to really enjoy exasperating situations and glorify ignorance, but that doesn’t hide the fact that the vast majority of people who would express anti-war opinions, are expressing them at the political machinery that makes wars, not so much those who just follow orders they have no control over. And pleeeezzzzze … those of you who want to do ‘neener, neener’ 6th grader comments about ‘if you don’t like it here, go somewhere else’ … expressing ideas that can lead to a better America is ONE of the most patriotic acts an intelligent country/culture-loving American can do. We love it here, but we are NOT stupid to think that NO improvements could be made.
I do regret saying most. I should’ve used the word “many”.
I had a similar experience on a flight from Atlanta to Pensacola, FL. After we landed but before we reached the gate the pilot announced the presence of the military escort on board. The plane went silent and nobody moved from their seats. We all watched out the windows as the flag draped coffin was attended to by military and ground crews. No words were spoken until the coffin had been placed in the waiting hearse and the hearse was escorted from the tarmac. As a mom to an Army soldier myself the tears were flowing freely as I thought about the family waiting for this soldier. There but for the grace of God go I.
Thank you. The most important story well told.
Johnny, I like so many other Soldiers have been there to receive a fallen Soldier when he/she comes off of the plane. Thank you for paying tribute to those that have fallen and noting that everyone on the plane did in their own way pay their respects, even if it was just allowing the Soldiers get off to receive the fallen.
I would also like to say thank you very much for NOT showing the family coming up to the plane. That is a sad solemn moment that is meant ONLY for the family, and I am sure they would not have wanted to have been put on a website. Thank you again for respecting the family and the fallen Soldier!
SSG Paul M.
U.S. Army
This reaffirms my dedication to OUR America. With all the insanity ruling our lives from the district of corruption, I still feel we have a chance to right things IF we work together. God bless ALL of our military and their devotion to our republic.
Served in Nam in ’68 & 69, saw a lot of caskets during Tet, you never forget. I’m 68 years old now and it seems like yesterday, I’d do it again in a heart beat. My father and two of brothers served in WWII this is a great country despite the politicians. GOD BLESS AMERICA
You’d invade, occupy and slaughter the citizens of a country 10,000 miles away that never threatened to the United States, never attacked the United States and only ever sought their independence from colonialism — again? And all because some hack politician that couldn’t even spell Vietnam told you to? What could be more unAmerican than that? That’s just sick and evil.
First time I ever cried thank you for posting this Fallen Soldier on My Delta Flight -Johnny Jet I was in Dessert Strom saw mini come home,but this one is the best.
Silent Hero’s
November 11th will soon be here to remember our Freedom
Fighters and especially those who have fallen serving our
homeland. With honor we will give special recognition.
However, many do not know about those who silently serve
our country but will not receive any recognition. Over the
years they have and still serve as special agents within the
different branches of military and Government . They have
served our country at great personal risk since 1775. To
this day they are dispatched into the foreign populations to
infiltrate enemy war zones. They gather acute and covert
intelligence. Sometime they receive special recognition such
as the Thomas W. McKnowlton Intelligence Award. Yet we
may never know about it because that award is restricted to
those within our intelligence services. Today I want to beam
some light in general to let these very special patriots know
that we honor their service and we give thanks to God to each
for their silent sacrifice and love of country.