dispatchguy
Dad is my favorite title
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- Nov 30, 2001
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This week we will honor a U.S. Air Force pilot killed in action during the Vietnam War and assist in returning his remains to Georgia for burial. Air Force Capt. Lorenza Conner was shot down over Vietnam in 1967. His remains were discovered and identified last year, and he will be coming home to Georgia on Friday on our flight from Honolulu to Atlanta. (DL 1282/24OCT HNLATL)
Gerry Bopp, a Delta pilot and a Vietnam vet, will captain the HNL-ATL flight. On board, Todd Moyer, an inspector at the Technical Operations Center, will be volunteering his time as one of the escorts.
“I am doing this in part as a Delta employee, but I ride escort as a Ride Captain with the Patriot Guard Riders escorting fallen soldiers home during funeral services,” Todd said.
In Atlanta, the flight will be met by one of our honor guard teams at the ATL airport, which will transfer the remains to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Capt. Conner will be laid to rest at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga., north of Atlanta.
In addition to Atlanta, we have volunteer honor guard teams in Boston, Detroit, Norfolk, Va., Salt Lake City and Seattle. The ATL team has special jumpsuits made by our uniform supplier, Cintas, displaying a military seal on the back. The members render honors along with the official military escorts and pay last respects to deceased service men and women as they are transported through the airport. Most ATL volunteers are former service men and women or have family who are or were in the military. They have flags and when possible present a commemorative medallion on behalf of Delta to the soldier’s family with the inscription: “We will not forget their sacrifice.”
“We're proud of our honor guard volunteers who represent Delta in paying special honors to the men and women who have served our country,” said Gil West, s.v.p.-Airport Customer Service. “The ceremony is not only meaningful to the families, but for everyone who has the privilege of seeing it. It is just another example of Delta's culture of caring, and the pride Delta people bring to their work.”
Gerry Bopp, a Delta pilot and a Vietnam vet, will captain the HNL-ATL flight. On board, Todd Moyer, an inspector at the Technical Operations Center, will be volunteering his time as one of the escorts.
“I am doing this in part as a Delta employee, but I ride escort as a Ride Captain with the Patriot Guard Riders escorting fallen soldiers home during funeral services,” Todd said.
In Atlanta, the flight will be met by one of our honor guard teams at the ATL airport, which will transfer the remains to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Capt. Conner will be laid to rest at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga., north of Atlanta.
In addition to Atlanta, we have volunteer honor guard teams in Boston, Detroit, Norfolk, Va., Salt Lake City and Seattle. The ATL team has special jumpsuits made by our uniform supplier, Cintas, displaying a military seal on the back. The members render honors along with the official military escorts and pay last respects to deceased service men and women as they are transported through the airport. Most ATL volunteers are former service men and women or have family who are or were in the military. They have flags and when possible present a commemorative medallion on behalf of Delta to the soldier’s family with the inscription: “We will not forget their sacrifice.”
“We're proud of our honor guard volunteers who represent Delta in paying special honors to the men and women who have served our country,” said Gil West, s.v.p.-Airport Customer Service. “The ceremony is not only meaningful to the families, but for everyone who has the privilege of seeing it. It is just another example of Delta's culture of caring, and the pride Delta people bring to their work.”