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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You told a beautiful story, one that should move most of us to tears and to be proud of what our country stands for…it is a pity that your comments about “Foreigners” pretending they don’t understand English took away what you were doing. Racism and Bigotry is one of the many things we should not tolerate…many have died fighting it.
THanks for the comments but I never said the word “Foreigners”.
what would have preferred? Boyz from da hood? maybe the little old lady with the cane and hearing aides? Perhaps you’ve never been in the situation where a foreign national didn’t understand our language and gets up to leave or push ahead in a line, even when the most patient person would try to explain what was asked. Get a grip on reality and quit trying to be so politically correct.
Earlier this year, I was one of the people watching out the window of the Cleveland airport as the honor guard escorted a fallen soldier off a plane. I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes then same as when I read JohnnyJet’s message.
Incredible story, and so powerfully written. I can’t even imagine the feelings the family must have been having. Thanks for sharing this.
MIC propaganda.
and what was he trying to solicit? get a grip.
Touching story. Thank you for sharing. This is as close to war most of us get. This experience should be the lede on national news. My sympathies to the family, and heartfelt gratitude to the brave soldier.
You read a story such as this and without question, it manages to touch your heart. You experience these words that are written as if you are actually there, seeing this solemn act unfold in front of you. You feel the pride of the escort and carry the weight of the task that they are given and you experience the pain that the family must feel as they see their son or daughter arrive home. The pain that the family feels is one that we, at that same moment, feel and we tend to look at life in a different way once you see this. I salute you fallen soldier, I thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice. May you rest in peace and find glory in the kingdom of God.
This broke my heart.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Your writing transported me into that airline, seeing and experiencing the story unfold. Awesome writing. Salutes to all our heroes without whom today will not be the same.
I am glad the tide of respect has turned. My 93 year old dad had on his Cap from the Louisville, his Navy ship, and a young lady came up to him in a parking lot and hugged him and thanked him for his service. He was dumbfounded. When I was in college, people spit on soldiers returning from Viet Nam, my peers. God bless our service men and women.
I am a mother of a soldier currently serving in Afghanistan. This deeply touched my heart and soul. Thank you to each of you on that plane for your respect and heartfelt consideration for this fallen soldier and his family by blood and in arms. I am sure none who boarded that plane intended to be a part of such a sad and final journey. God speed soldier!
Amen.
I read your article in the NYDN today. Very moving and emotional. I’m a daughter of a fallen soldier whose return was likewise in the same manner as this soldier. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt ‘moment in time’ experience as a passenger aboard a flight with one of our bravest! Tacy
I am ex military. it breaks my heart every time I hear or read a story like this. They deserve every honor that we can bestow upon them