Posted on 03/01/2009 5:58:22 AM PST by Clive
The announcement Air Canada passengers all too frequently hear at the beginning of their domestic flights is solemn and respectful.
It tells them their flight is also carrying a deceased member of the Forces home to his or her family. But the respect afforded fallen personnel begins long before passengers board.
At Toronto Pearson International Airport, there are only two things that can bring an entire operating ramp to a halt: lightning, and a fallen member of the CF being carried home.
The Air Canada Cargo team at Toronto Pearson has long had a respectful process in place for the carriage of the deceased. One day a few years back, however, Cargo team member Nick Wasielewitsch was told to expect a casket bearing a Canadian soldier who had recently been killed on tour.
“We got out one of our regular folding units,” Mr. Wasielewitsch says. “I looked at it and, even though it was perfectly clean and fine for a regular day, it just seemed that, to carry the body of a hero, it should be made to shine.”
He power-washed and polished the unit until it sparkled. Caskets are put on skids to help with balance, but the Cargo team felt the wooden skids looked too industrial, so Mr. Wasielewitsch found some silver paper to wrap the skids so it looked neat and clean.
Out of this grew the “Ramp Ceremony”. Jason Hay, station operation control co-ordinator when the ceremony began, looks after communications. “Once I get word,” he says, “I make sure everyone who wants to know, knows.”
John Collins was one of the first to get involved. He ensures the right equipment is available.
Mr. Hay makes sure that the accompanying personnel are made comfortable, gets bag tags and meets everyone on the ramp. “[The accompanying personnel] don’t have to go up through the airport,” he says. “We have [everyone] we need to screen them on the ramp.”
Mr. Collins drives the fallen soldier and the accompanying personnel across the ramp. “All the fire department, all the police, the military, even pilots, come out to salute as we drive by,” he says. “They hold a spontaneous Honour Guard until he is on board.
“Watching a 767 fall into procession behind a van carrying a surviving soldier who is travelling home with his deceased buddy – it’s something else.”
More and more Air Canada employees have become involved in the Ramp Ceremony. One makes skids from materials he pays for, and others help him finish them. Some buy flags to carry or to adorn the ramp. Someone special-orders clean, white cargo straps. Some help on their lunch breaks; some show up even though they’re not working that day. And many gladly cover the shifts of those directly involved.
“We are Canadians and we work at Air Canada; there is a lot of pride with that,” Mr. Hay says. “But mostly, we have a lot of employees here who have sons and daughters in the military. Many have even served themselves, or are in the Reserves now. It’s a sign of respect for our colleagues.”
“I think we are all also thinking of the family of the fallen,” Mr. Collins says. “They almost never see the ceremony … I just want to help give them peace of mind that their son or daughter is being honoured and taken care of.
“The accompanying soldiers are always so grateful,” he adds. “But we keep telling them, ‘Don’t thank us. Just tell your buddies in Kandahar what you’ve seen here. Tell them that Air Canada is still here for them.’”
Ms. Crouse is the Manager of Air Canada Employee Communications.
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To those that haven’t seen it yet I’d recommend ‘Taking Chance’ on HBO. Thanks for the post Clive.
Proud to be Canadian. And proud to have these Patriots working for our Flagship Carrier.
Well done, Air Canada! Well done!
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