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.
As a menber of the Honor Guard this is the highest honor that can be given. When we do this and the funerals I always try to put myself in their place. I do the best that I can cause I know this could have been m. .Its hard at time to keep a straight face but we have to not let ourtears and hear break show till we are going. I hold the highest respect for any menber of an honor guard. It takes that special kind of person to do this .
Thank you Lloyd for your service may god be with you and your family during yr contributions to our country ….words will never express gratitude for our soldiers both past and present for what they are and have done for not only our country but for people like myself and my children and family….I have a few family members who have served in Iraq and other countries for some peace of mind their children should have it easier living in this country for many years to come..thank you to all the heroes both fallen and surviving..MAY GOD BLESS U AND THE U.S.A.!!
This is your best piece yet, Johnny!!!! I felt as if I was a passenger on that flight. As you described the water hitting the windows as tears,I couldn’t hold back mine. I had to share with my friends, many of whom are affiliated with the Military, and they too have expressed how touching your story was. Thank you for sharing an event that many Americans fail to realise still occurs.
its sad this person had to die for nothing other than corporate gains. I’m sorry there is no defense of freedom here. This is empire pure and simple. Tears were brought to my eyes as well, but not because of honor or duty, but of the wasted lives of millions of people in the middle east and thousands of ordinary americans
The amazing thing here is that you persist in making asinine political comments about the personal enrichment of American leaders and corporations. Who elects these people? Who buys from these businesses? YOU do. And what about the millions of people in these two countries who now enjoy a much higher level of freedom than before? Or getting rid of a despot who killed hundreds of thousands of his own people and waged war with his neighbors? Or taking out the Taliban who gave shelter to those responsible for 9/11? Whose responsible for that? Our brave American military – not you with your pathetic whining.
Don’t feed the troll
Where is Ted Logan wrong? If you have an argument to make make it. There is no honor in blindly serving in an imperial army. and dying in it only makes you, at best, a victim.
Ted, I bet you are one of these radicals who disrupts the funerals of our fallen soldiers! You should learn when to keep your mouth shut as your opinions offend those who have lost sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters who PROUDLY served this country. I would imagine your brain can never comprehend how distasteful and inappropriate your comments are. Don’t stomp on the right of freedom of speech when it comes to a fallen hero (that freedom along with many others was given to you by all who have served and are serving now)!!
@Ted Logan: It takes a special sort of ingrate to disrespect those who go into harm’s way so that you can sleep in peace. The radical Islamofascists who attacked this country and killed almost 3000 people would love to add you to their list of victims. We are making sure that doesn’t happen. And, you’re welcome.
Tears streaming down my face. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Very touching story thank you so much for sharing it with us!!!
God Bless America, and God bless our soldiers.
There is no god.. and if there was he/she/it must not like our soldiers very much because he/she/it allows them to be sent off to die in desert wastelands to further enrich the Bushes and Obamas of the world
How sad for you that you feel the way you do. My son is a Wounded Warrior. I did not force him to join and fight. He volunteered. He could have stayed state-side, but chose to go overseas and be in the throngs of evil. I am very proud that my son was and still is so brave. I have no bitterness for a war that was started without my say-so. I would not choose to put myself in harms way the way my son has done. But again, I am VERY proud of the man he has become. My life has been enriched even more because of my son.
Ted, you sound like a very bitter person and I pity you. You sound as though you never find the good in anything.
Kim – please tell your son that I am sending my thanks, prayers and hugs to him. You should be proud. I know I am. God Bless Our Service Members and Their Families. Thank you all.
Ted, always remember this soldier paid the ultimate sacrifice in order for you to have the freedom to make such a heartless comment. What have you done to justify your existence? There is nothing you can do or say that could tarnish the honor of these men and women.
Ignore the troll.
Thank you so much for sharing this sad occasion with us. I never realized how how fallen soldiers are returned home. The dignity and warmth they are given is the least we as a nation can give them and their families. This article and video should be seen by all Americans.
Wow… what a moving piece. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you for sharing your story. We are truly blessed to live in the United States and have the honor of being able to live free because of the dedicated military.
so many other citizens of other countries have it better than us…
you don’t like it here, then go to one of those “better countries”
Exactly!!
I’m a crusty old man, but this brought me to tears. Thank you so much for sharing this.
God Bless and protect our military and families, and may there never, ever have to be need to unload a fallen warrior. Pray, God, that they all come home to their homes and families safely. Amen.
Being part of an escort for a fallen soldier is one of the most rewarding things you can ever do. There is a group called “The Patriot Guard Riders”. We volunteer at the family request to be part of funerals for our current fallen soldiers and for those who have served in the past. Check out this group and volunteer.
I have been a member of the Patriot Guard Riders for many years. You will never meet a better bunch of guys/gals. Riding a motorcycle is not a requirement, only respect. Patriot Guard dot org.
” Freedom is not Free,” It come with the most Precious God Given Gift on the Face of the Earth, ” A Human Life.” God Bless Our Military and their Families.