Back in October 2013, I boarded a Delta Air Lines flight that I wasn’t originally supposed to be on. I hadn’t been feeling well, so I postponed my flight by a day. Little did I know that this simple change of plans would put me on what would become the most emotional flight of my life. It’s now 13 years later and I still think about that experience often, especially around Veterans Day. Here’s what made this flight so unforgettable.
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Delta Flight 2255 from Atlanta to Los Angeles seemed like an ordinary flight, with the exception of Candy, who was one of the most loving flight attendants I’ve ever encountered. Besides using her Southern charm to quickly defuse just about any situation, she began her welcome announcement by thanking the handful of uniformed service members on board for serving our country. Her heartfelt message was followed by applause from the passengers and served as a reminder that so many of the freedoms we enjoy are made possible by the sacrifices of the brave men and women who serve.
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But this transcontinental flight turned out to be anything but ordinary. About 45 minutes before landing, the captain came over the PA system and explained that we were transporting a fallen soldier home. There was a military escort on board and he asked everyone to remain seated for a few minutes after arriving at the gate so the military personnel could exit first. He also told us not to be alarmed if we saw fire trucks waiting for our arrival because Los Angeles would be honoring the fallen soldier with a water cannon salute. The cabin went quiet as everyone absorbed what he had just told us.
A few minutes after touchdown, we did indeed receive a water cannon salute, something I’d previously only experienced on happy occasions like inaugural flights. But this time was different. As the water streamed down the aircraft windows, it looked like tears. Passengers inside the airport must have wondered what was happening when they saw our plane pull into gate 69A with a full police and fire escort, both in front and behind the aircraft.
I was sitting on the left side of the plane and later realized that the fallen soldier’s family was waiting off to the right, along with members of the United States Army Honor Guard. These service members perform ceremonial duties, including providing military funeral honors for fallen comrades. Seeing the military personnel waiting alongside the family made the significance of our arrival even more apparent.
When the aircraft door opened, another military officer addressed the escort, who was standing at attention. The officer then stepped onto the plane and spoke to all of us passengers. He said, “I just addressed the escort. It is a sworn oath to bring home, to the family, the fallen.” He paused for a moment before adding, “Today you all did that, you are all escorts, escorts of the heart.” He 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 seems determined to be the first one off the plane. I’m sure most of us had meteor-sized lumps in our throats and tears in our eyes, just as I did. I’ve flown millions of miles over the years and experienced countless memorable moments in the air, but I had never experienced anything quite like this.
It only got more emotional when I deplaned. Instead of rushing to baggage claim or hurrying to catch connecting flights, many passengers stopped at the terminal windows to witness something truly moving. Outside, the Honor Guard and the fallen soldier’s family were waiting as LAX baggage handlers and military personnel carefully removed the flag-draped casket from the cargo hold. It was an incredibly humbling scene and one that I’ll never forget.
I watched as a woman, who I believe may have been the soldier’s mother or wife, slowly approached the casket. A few other family members stood nearby, wrapped in blankets, while members of the Honor Guard stood at attention. I couldn’t begin to imagine what that family was going through or how difficult it must have been to wait for their loved one to come home under such heartbreaking circumstances.
As soon as I saw the woman reach out and place her hand on the casket, I walked away.
That was more than I could bear to watch. Even today, 13 years later, I get emotional thinking about that moment and the extraordinary sacrifice that family made.
A flight I will never forget
What began as an ordinary flight became the most extraordinary flight of my life. I’ve traveled all over the world and taken thousands of flights, but this experience stands apart from all the others. It was a powerful reminder that behind every military uniform is a person with family and friends who love them, and that the sacrifices made by our service members affect far more people than we sometimes realize.
I’m grateful to the Delta crew, the military escort, the Honor Guard and everyone at LAX who helped ensure that this fallen soldier was brought home with the dignity and respect they deserved. I’m especially grateful to the men and women who serve our country and to the families who support them, often making sacrifices of their own.
Veterans Day is a time to recognize and thank all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, while Memorial Day specifically honors those who died in military service. Although this experience involved a fallen soldier, it reminds me every Veterans Day of the courage, commitment and sacrifice of our military members and their families.
To all our veterans and active-duty service members, thank you for your service. And to the families who have lost loved ones while serving our country, please know that their sacrifices are not forgotten.
Thirteen years later, I can still hear that military officer’s words: “You are all escorts, escorts of the heart.” I’ll carry those words, and the memory of that flight, with me for the rest of my life.
Johnny’s note
When I first shared this story and video in 2013, I had no idea how many people it would touch. Over the years, I’ve received thousands of comments and emails from readers, including veterans, military families and people who have experienced similar homecomings. One of the most impactful was a comment left on Yahoo by a reader named Indiana Joan. Her words have stayed with me, just as this flight has.
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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.