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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We are a proud nation and should not forget about the lives that were lost or the parent or spouses who supported them. Thank you for sharing this touching story with us. Please check out this website that honors the fallen Service members.
http://codedplaque.com/MilitaryTribute/IraqMilitary
http://www.gofundme.com/54f9p0
What a profoundly moving piece, a wonderful end to a very sad story. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for shearing this, I have been with my Army sister on the outside if the plan as her husband was brought home yo us on the sad day of Dec.12.2010 and it was nice to read this Ihad no idea what went on inside as he was coming off the plan. It is very nice to read this and know people stop for that moment and did not rush off. Thank you
I am happy to hear the respect the military escort pays to the fallen, and how well the citizens of this country pay their respects as well. We owe these sons and daughter far more than they receive, but they never seem to ask for more. Amen to the respectful sentiments.
What a moving story! It also brought tears to my eyes. I am not American, but I live in a free world thanks to the sacrifices of so many, including your military. I was once waiting to board a plane in Houston, and at ckeck-in, an American Airlines assistant asked for a round of applause for a group of soldiers returning home. I must tell you I joined in the applause, and I will always remember the emotion. Also my grandfather was a WWI vet, and I feel your article honors him too on this date so close to your Veterans’ Day or Europe’s Armistice Day.
Jonny,
I first heard about this story from my wife. A friend of hers posted a link to an interview you did on the news and we sat down to watch it together.
It wasn’t long before both of us were moved to tears, like many others, by the experience you had. These feelings were enhanced for the two of us because of our past…
Back in 2007 I joined the Air Force and my job was to work with Army ground units on the front lines. In January of 2010 I was on a foot patrol in Afghanistan with my teammate and 11 soldiers from Fort Carson in Colorado. We approached a small village and were ambushed by insurgents. I was injured in the first of two roadside bomb blasts and was left permanently blind. The ambush claimed the lives of my teammate Brad and three of the soldiers we had been working with almost every day.
I woke up in a hospital in Washington DC to learn that four of my friends weren’t coming home. It was, and still is, the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with in my life.
Months down the road during my recovery I was fortunate enough to meet the wives of three of those men. The meeting was emotional to say the least. I learned that God works in mysterious ways though because one of those widows had an effect on me that changed my life forever.
We have been married now for more than three years and have a beautiful little family. Would you believe that blind people can experience love at first “sight” too? I didn’t think it was possible!
When we sat down and read this story it struck a very emotional nerve with us. My wife has experience that very same situation that you witnessed and I have buried friends. We both want to show our appreciation to you for sharing this story with the world. It’s hard to truly appreciate the sacrifices that our military members make every day when they happen across the world and seem so far away. Thank you for giving so many the chance to experience a taste of what real sacrifice means.
Thank you again for sharing this humbling story.
God bless.
I listened to this story on NPR’s “Hear & Now” last evening. Johnny’s account is very powerful, much more so than this blog account. His description of the scene etches into your mind. Well done and thank you.
Very moved and touched that amidst all the turmoil , we still are a country that honors are fallen sons and daughters. God bless you all
I didn’t look at this story at first because I thought I had seen it before and didn’t want to face the tears again. However, I finally decided I should. Having served myself I fully understand how important our military is to (the United States and everyone who lives here) our freedom. I cannot listen to Taps without being brought to tears and being married to a Vietnam Veteran and knowing how he was treated when he came home, I am humbled by the show of respect from the people on this flight, whether they agreed with the decisions of our leaders or not.
Many thanks for sharing this story.
The horrible truth is that poor soldier didn’t die protecting American “freedom” he or she died defending American hubris and the interests of cynical politicians. And untold thousands of innocents in countries throughout the world died too. It was an unnecessary, easily avoidable death and it won’t be the last
Thank you for sharing such a moving moment, it would be such an honor to have been a part of someing so honorable!! My tears & gratitude moved me so much!! I re~posted this story on all social media forums to share with all my loved ones…
We are so lucky in this country to have such brave men & women who serve & fight to protect all of us & our freedom!!! With LOVE & PRAYERS to all of our military & their families who sacrifice all for our great Country!!! May GOD BLESS EACH & EVERYONE OF YOU (past & present) I salute you!!
The biggest heroes are those who died in combat.
.
Thank you to Johnny for sharing this experience and thank you to Theron for your comments. As a mother of a 3-tour (so far) veteran, one of my heartaches is that it seems that everyone else is going on “as normal”, forgetting the sacrifices that military members and their families are experiencing. I appreciate it when someone reminds the world that it is not life as normal for everyone.