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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I was recently on an American Airlines flight that was transporting a fallen soldier home. It is the most moving experience I have ever had on an aircraft. Makes you realize what is important.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you for sharing. I lost my own father, a policeman in the line of duty and I know the families appreciate the respect everyone showed their loved one. God bless these brave soldiers and their families.
Wow. Sorry to hear that. God Bless
This is such a moving tribute. I am sure the family would be touched to read your story if you could ever track them down, and based on your writing skills I bet you could track them down. Thank you for sharing, Johnny.
To Johnny Jet,
A wonderful tribute to one of our fallen brave soldiers! However, one of your statements in this article was unnecessary, dishonorable and biased.
“As you can imagine, everyone was silent and no one got up, not even that person from the back row who pretends he doesn’t [understand] English so he can be first off the plane.”
Who are you to presume that a person from the back row does not speak English? Did you converse w/ this or these individuals who bolt off of a plane pretending not to “understand English”? How did you arrive at that conclusion?
As a former f.a. & an oft traveler, I have never encountered such a person. People like me have little tolerance for the intolerant and you punctuated this otherwise great show of respect to one of our own with your personal bigoted comment. Bev of Boston, MA
I don’t think his remark about the person in the back was meant to be bigoted. I have traveled by air and have found that his statement wasn’t far from the mark. So are you going to call me bigoted, or did you just need to blow off some steam? Perhaps he should have said the disabled or geriatric!
Yep I would expect you to be from liberal Boston. So he made a comment, big deal. Start living life Bev and stop all your PC nonsense.
Obviously Bev has totally missed the point of the post. She is too busy nurturing that chip on her shoulder to notice that the story is about a fallen American soldier, not her and her experience.
@Bev – I read *NOTHING* that was “bigoted” or “intolerant.” Leave it to a bed wetting liberal like you to RUIN the comment section. I get so sick and tired of you people claiming “racism” and “bigotry” on everything YOU don’t agree with. Go pound sand! And change your sheets, liberal. It’s people like you turning this nation into a bunch of mindless drone candyasses.
Please stop with the “liberal” comment. I am a liberal. My son has served in 3 tours. I have absolute respect for our military.
Thanks “Anonymous”! I agree with your comments!!! You can always tell the liberals because when they run out of semi-legitimate talking points and have been shut down, they turn to the good old standbys – “racist”, “bigot”, “__-phobe! Then they deny they were calling people names!!!!
RIP to the fallen soldier; such a sad event, but such an honorable event the passengers participated in!
Bev’s just mad Johnny blew her cover.
Bev, leave, now!
How dare you!
How dare you how dare her! This Johnny Jet character’s cheap shot at the passenger who allegedly tried to exit the plane is contemptible. He knows that passenger was pretending not to speak English how exactly? Thanks to Bev for calling him on it.
How dare you? Were you there? And his remark about a passenger feigning to not understand the announce is just a comparison. Are you aware that some passengers from FIRST CLASS got up and tried to leave? Are you? You and Bev should sit down and have a happy meal together because you sound like petulant children.
A truly moving piece. Let us never forget the effort of military members and peace workers who do so much to make our world a safe place to explore.
Johnny, thank you so much for taking the time to share this. I’m one of the blessed – my husband has come home alive every time. It doesn’t make it any easier though. All we can do is live each day together as though it’s our last.
And for the others who have commented, thank you as well for your recognition of all that our military families live with on a daily basis. They’re much appreciated.
Sharii, First thank your husband for us for serving this great nation with honor. I am a Veteran as well and have been honored to attend funerals at Arlington and see the respect given to these brave servicemen who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Secondly thank you as well. Many seem to forget that while you didn’t take the same oath we did, you are a Combat Service Members Wife who took an oath to your husband and are therefore a Veteran of sorts yourself. Thank you for supporting your husband and this country. I pray you will never have to experience what so many other Militay Wives/Mom’s etc have had to face. Dan L.
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for sharing, May the brave soldier RIP
Oh dear Johnny – Chill bumps and tears have been replaced with appreciation that I have for your article- thank you for posting this for us. Sometimes the experiences while traveling are so moving that it changes us forever.
thank you for sharing and heartfelt thanks to all the families who have served and the ones who have lost loved ones!
So humbling. I am completely teary right now.
Thank you for posting this. So moving.
I remember the movie Taking Chance which was about a military escort. We owe our fallen and their families more than words can express.
So sad I could hardly read it. But thanks for reminding me …
What a flight. One you wont forget.