Just a little reminder that we still have Americans dying in war. You interested in contributing to the packages, let me know. Privately if you wish.
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 by followed by applause and put into perspective that none of us would be able to do what we do if it wasn’t for these brave men and women
. 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 see fire trucks since Los Angeles greets their fallen military with a water canon salute. See my video below.
A few minutes after touchdown, we did indeed have a water canon 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 for 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.” And then thanked us for our time and walked off the plane.
As you can imagine, everyone was silent, no one got up, not even that person from the back row who pretends they don’t speak English so they can be first off the plane. I’m sure 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 was a large number of 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 patiently, while LAX baggage handlers and a military loadmaster remove 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 walk up to 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.
Thank you to all the military who protect our beautiful country and let us live the lives we are able to lead. Without you we would be nothing. And thank you to the Honor Guard for making sure these fallen soldiers, warriors and heroes are not treated like just any piece of luggage as they used to, but rather with the care and respect they so rightly deserve.
Mr. Lewis was in the 3rd troop transport that landed on Omaha beach. He was the only person in his unit to make it off the beach alive. All that rest were mortally wounded and or died later from their wounds. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, He returned to the battlefield and helped take Germany. He won two purple hearts, Silver Star and two Bronze Stars.
He returned from the war and married his high school sweetheart. Was a school teacher for 35 years. Played the trombone. In his late 70's, both him and him wife would got the ocean and swim a 1/2 mile a day, every day.
He was known as Mr. Lewis to everyone not because he was a war hero who saved many American lives but how he conducted his life when he returned from war. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
Today we buried one of the greatest generation.
Mr. Lewis was in the 3rd troop transport that landed on Omaha beach. He was the only person in his unit to make it off the beach alive. All that rest were mortally wounded and or died later from their wounds. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, He returned to the battlefield and helped take Germany. He won two purple hearts, Silver Star and two Bronze Stars.
He returned from the war and married his high school sweetheart. Was a school teacher for 35 years. Played the trombone. In his late 70's, both him and him wife would got the ocean and swim a 1/2 mile a day, every day.
He was known as Mr. Lewis to everyone not because he was a war hero who saved many American lives but how he conducted his life when he returned from war.
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
Today we buried one of the greatest generation.
Mr. Lewis was in the 3rd troop transport that landed on Omaha beach. He was the only person in his unit to make it off the beach alive. All that rest were mortally wounded and or died later from their wounds. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, He returned to the battlefield and helped take Germany. He won two purple hearts, Silver Star and two Bronze Stars.
He returned from the war and married his high school sweetheart. Was a school teacher for 35 years. Played the trombone. In his late 70's, both him and him wife would got the ocean and swim a 1/2 mile a day, every day.
He was known as Mr. Lewis to everyone not because he was a war hero who saved many American lives but how he conducted his life when he returned from war.
Meh, he was the tool of a bomb dropping, warmongering nation... only man left alive? Maybe he shouldn't have been fighting in the first place...
Either way, our people shouldn't have to honor what he and his men did, its in the past... just let it die already. [Reply]
Originally Posted by scott free:
Meh, he was the tool of a bomb dropping, warmongering nation... only man left alive? Maybe he shouldn't have been fighting in the first place...
Either way, our people shouldn't have to honor what he and his men did, its in the past... just let it die already.
He gave of himself selflessly and proudly so you would be able to freely say what you just said. Regardless of personal opinion it's not something I believe I have in myself to do, do you or have you? [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
Today we buried one of the greatest generation.
Mr. Lewis was in the 3rd troop transport that landed on Omaha beach. He was the only person in his unit to make it off the beach alive. All that rest were mortally wounded and or died later from their wounds. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, He returned to the battlefield and helped take Germany. He won two purple hearts, Silver Star and two Bronze Stars.
He returned from the war and married his high school sweetheart. Was a school teacher for 35 years. Played the trombone. In his late 70's, both him and him wife would got the ocean and swim a 1/2 mile a day, every day.
He was known as Mr. Lewis to everyone not because he was a war hero who saved many American lives but how he conducted his life when he returned from war.
RIP, they are called the greatest generation for a reason and there aren't many left. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
Wonderful organization providing dogs to vets having a hard time moving on with their life's after what they saw and did over in the sandbox.
Originally Posted by GloryDayz:
Most powerful short film I've seen in like forever! Rep to you!
I was outside making a phone call. This guy was out smoking and shaking all over. Didn't know the guy other than seeing him in the halls etc. Asked if he was okay, need some help and he looked at me and he had these eyes that don't belong in an office sitting, and said "I saw a guy that looked like my best friend who died in my arms over in the sandbox...........sometimes that shit comes up and I cant stop it". [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
I was outside making a phone call. This guy was out smoking and shaking all over. Didn't know the guy other than seeing him in the halls etc. Asked if he was okay, need some help and he looked at me and he had these eyes that don't belong in an office sitting, and said "I saw a guy that looked like my best friend who died in my arms over in the sandbox...........sometimes that shit comes up and I cant stop it".
Amen brother. Just be there, that's all, just be there. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
He's heading to Iraq. They are in the middle of a civil war.
Well its certainly never "good to go" in that country, but unless the news outlets are completely ignoring the situation (admittedly a distinct possibility)... its not nearly as bad as the true war years.
Ie; all of the logistics have long been in place to ensure the smooth arrival of whatever kind of contracting work his brother does... one of my closest cousins has spent 2+ years there as an airplane mechanic, and while he's in no hurry to go back he admits that they are catered to in every way possible.
Far more than our warriors, that's for sure. [Reply]
