Today...

[Fubijaakr]

...I had the honor of flying the remains of a young Marine who gave his life in defense of our nation.

The flight was uneventful until the moment we arrived at our destination. As we approached the gate, we saw the white hearse, the vans and Port Police vehicles awaiting our arrival.

As the Marine Honor Guard lined up along side the belt loader to bear this young man to his final resting place, what struck me was the reaction inside the terminal. Silence fell as the travelers, vacationers, rampers and anyone within view was drawn to the windows to watch as the casket was transferred to the waiting hearse.

Now, I've airlifted military casualties before. I have to admit that this was the most moving experience I've had in a long, long time. Enroute I had a long time to consider the incredible sacrifices our young servicemen, women and their families give America every day of their lives. I just hope EVERYONE who witnessed the event considered what those sacrifices can mean.

Regardless of your political persuasion, we owe these brave young people a huge debt of gratitude. They're in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Alaska, Iceland, Diego Garcia and a hundred other places making sure we can go about our daily lives without considering the dark side of life.

The young Marine I brought home today faced the dark side and paid the ultimate price. I just thank God that America can still produce young people with this kind of steel in their souls.

Thank you, my young friend, for your service. You will always be a hero to me and you will be sorely missed.

 

[tico]

Thanks Fubii....makes the antics of america west and us airways or the drone of continental and united or the arrogant pettiness of delta and north west orient or the childish antics of airtran and southwest or the dripping sleaze of the alaska air group seem, well....just that...meaningless......I think it was the early fifties when they changed their approach. They knew that they would never take us from outside our borders so they gutted us from within.....Semper Fi to that young marine....too bad there are few left who know what that means.......

 

[regionalcap]

I have witnessed this once on a flight..very moving..thanks for the post.

 

[gutshotdraw]

I have been on hand three times for the arrival of a fallen hero and the honor guard that greets them. Three of the most humbling experiences of my life.

Always remember: Some Gave All

 

[727C47]

semper fi,vaya con Dio,they are the best of us.

 

[zonejumper]

Amen, Fubi....great post.
RIP and Godspeed to that very brave Marine and his family and friends. I hope they realize how much we respect him and others like him. He paid the ultimate price for us to remain safe and free.

(Side note: I hope NO ONE turns this thread into a political one. To do so would be highly disrespectful. Thank you.)

 

[PBRstreetgang]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1019454/

 

[onewithwings]

(Side note: I hope NO ONE turns this thread into a political one. To do so would be highly disrespectful. Thank you.)

Agreed. Let this thread be a tribute to the fallen.

 

[Nado]

The land of the free, because of the brave.

 

[labbats]

Well said.

 

[Dash8don]

I commuted home on Fubi's flight. I can attest to the emotion of the event. Everyone in the terminal who was deplaning, or waiting for their outbound flight, stopped and moved to the window to pay respect to the fallen Marine. There were probably a couple of hundred people at one point in the gate area silently watching out the window, a few were shedding tears. There was another large group on the ramp surrounding the airplane as the casket was removed from the airplane that stood still facing the fallen soldier out of respect, including Port Police, TSA, CSA's, rampers, P of P Ops, as well as the soldiers family. Definitely a somber event but I was glad to see people showing respect and honoring this soldiers ultimate sacrifice for our country.

 

[JAFI]

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

(or his Country)

God speed Marine.

 

[gutshotdraw]

If you haven't seen the HBO film "Taking Chance," rent it.

 

[bri5150]

If you haven't seen the HBO film "Taking Chance," rent it.

Yep, good movie. Not to burst the prideful American bubble in this thread, but the exact opposite happened according to a flight attendant I was talking with the other day on a flight she was on. Everyone was asked to stay seated while the honor guard got off the aircraft, but everyone got up just the plane came to a stop anyways. Unbelievable.

edit: I am sure it wasn't the same flight the OP was talking about. It was a seperate event.

 

[Fubijaakr]

No, it wasn't. The escort was seated in the first row of 1st class so we could make sure he could get to the ramp quickly.

 

[bri5150]

No, it wasn't. The escort was seated in the first row of 1st class so we could make sure he could get to the ramp quickly.

As it should be. Even if I bought a first class ticket, I would give up my seat and sit in coach for something like that.

 

[onewithwings]

As it should be. Even if I bought a first class ticket, I would give up my seat and sit in coach for something like that.

Fubi probably arranged it so he could.

 

[Tomct]

Great Post! Sempre Fi Marine....GOD BLESS!!

 

[Fubijaakr]

Fubi probably arranged it so he could.

I wish I could take credit for it, but our Company has a group of people whose collateral duty is to make sure these events happen smoothly and with the dignity we OWE these servicemen and their families.

 

[bmpilot]

I have been on hand three times for the arrival of a fallen hero and the honor guard that greets them. Three of the most humbling experiences of my life.

Always remember: Some Gave All

All gave some, some gave all. Lest we forget those who have come back, or yet to return. Happy 4th all. AF Ret.