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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Only God knows what these very Special Families go through. “Thank You” To Our Military somehow doesn’t seem to be enough. These Young Men and Women who sacrifice their LIFE for OUR FREEDOM, are the most EXTRAORDINARY HUMAN BEINGS on the face of this Earth.. Thank you for posting this.
I have flown with caskets as cargo before but never military. This piece is so moving, I can not see thru my tears. God bless the people who show the respect for our fallen heroes. It is hard to bury a loved one but one who dies in a war is so much harder as they gave their life for what they believe in. God bless their family and friends. God bless the USA and bring home ALL OUR MILITARY SAFELY AND SOON!!!!
I thank the family who will feel the j
Lose of one so dear . I will pray that his deed will never be forgotten by generations to come who will live in peace in a land that so many went before to secure this peace and security so many take for granted. God bless america
Thank you for sharing this story. We all needed to hear it.
speechless thank you for serving our country may god bless you and your family
Deserving escort, just never seems enough for the huge sacrifice they give for All! Thank You each and every Military service person. We owe a enormous amount of gratitude to you!
Thank You for posting this sad and moving moment.
This is truly a debt that can never be repaid!
So touching .thank you for sharing. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS THE FAMILY OF THE FALLEN SOLDIER!!
Truly humbling. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
Thanks for this piece – it gave me shivers and tears. I wasn’t aware that they ever transported fallen soldiers on commercial aircraft. The way this was handled may have given some measure of solace to the soldier’s undoubtedly devastated family. If only we could quit being in these wars where we can’t win, we can’t solve their problems and we lose some of our best and bravest. My heart breaks for the loss of this soldier and the pain of his loved ones.
Thank you for sharing this story. I can’t even begin to imagine what the family is going through, but hope they understand how much their sacrifices mean to ordinary people like me. God Bless America!
Thank you for reminding us that as we go through our lives as “normal” there are grieving families here in the US that are hurting because their loved one paid the supreme price for our freedom. Today is “All Hallowed Eve” or Halloween as we call it. A time to remember those who have passed from us. What a timely reminder. Thanks for your post.