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My Friday flight home with a fallen soldier
TSgt | 06/20/2011 | TSgt

Posted on 06/20/2011 6:37:53 AM PDT by TSgt

I was traveling home Friday from Raleigh after a long week of corporate integration meetings. The week was brutal with only a few hours of sleep each night. Individual contributors on both sides are insecure about what the new org chart will look like and if they’ll have a box with their name on it once the merger deal closes. The acquiring company’s executives are bio-tech savants void of logic and with little regard for working relationships.

I boarded the plane in Raleigh for a short flight, US1766, to Charlotte. It was a large plane, A319, for just a 30 minute flight and was full as are most flights these days. The boarding process was brutally slow due to a large church youth group that was heading out for a missions conference. It must have been their first flight or so it appeared. Tired, annoyed and concerned about my future with newco I took my seat on the hot plane and waited. Three standby passengers with enough food to feed the entire plane made their way down the aisle and filled in the remaining open seats.

The plane finally pushed back and the pilot came on to give what I thought were the usual announcements. The plane was a little noisy and at first I thought he was sharing the names of the flight crew until I heard, “We would like to welcome Major {didn’t get the name}, and {didn’t get the name and rank} who are escorting home a fallen soldier. We would ask that you remain in your seats when we land to give them the opportunity to disembark. Freedom is not free.” By the end of his announcement a hush fell over the cabin.

Passengers slowly went back to their magazines, sleeping, eating and other activities. Everyone except for me. Every American who has ever served shares a common bond regardless of their branch. The Marines can joke about the Air Force and the Army can joke about the Marines but there are commonalities that cause each of us, blue or green, to stop and pause; Love of country and the loss of a brother or sister in arms. My pathetic concerns regarding newco vanished. They suddenly become incredibly insignificant compared to the concerns of this soldier’s family and friends. We were both flying home that Friday to our families but I was traveling upright.

I looked around the plane at everyone going about their business. It bothered me that they didn’t appreciate or fully grasp this soldier’s sacrifice. That some probably didn’t even hear the announcement or simply didn’t care. The public has been largely removed from the horrors of war. Or perhaps they removed themselves? It’s been my experience that Americans have weak stomachs and don’t like to ponder or discuss difficult things. Besides, the newest iPhone is about to be released.

When we landed the pilot again reminded everyone to remain seated. I saw the two Army officers stand and make their way to the door. The Major had a meticulously folded flag under his arm. They left the plane and proceeded outside to the right side of the plane where I was sitting. I noticed a cadre of ground crew reverently assembling outside of where I was sitting and heard the pop of the cargo door. It opened directly outside of my window. The two Army officers made it off the jetway and walked into view. It was then that I realized he was directly below me.

Some of the passengers looked out the windows. I noticed a few former military types, one can usually tell by their haircut, tattoo, t-shirt or cap. They, like me, were having trouble watching the events outside unfold through their tears. A single drop fell from a gentlemen’s eyes two rows up from me and quickly rolled down the leather headrest.

It was my row’s turn to disembark. I walked up the jetway in a fog with a lump in my throat and proceeded to the window. Not as a voyeur but to show my respect. My connection could wait.

The rest of my colleagues caught up with me and we began to make our way to our connecting flight. They knew I had served and that something was bothering me about the flight and related events. Attempting to make conversation a fellow director complained to our group about how hot and uncomfortable the flight was. I quietly walked a few more steps and then said, it could have been worse, you could have flown in the cargo hold.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS:
If you haven't seen the movie Taking Chance I implore you to watch it.

It is very close to what I experienced Friday.

Taking Chance IMDB

Taking Chance Trailer
1 posted on 06/20/2011 6:37:55 AM PDT by TSgt
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To: TSgt

As a Veteran, and more importantly as a Patriot, I feel the movie “Taking Chance” should be seen by every American who loves this Country. (I doubt 0bama has seen it!)


2 posted on 06/20/2011 6:47:29 AM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (Psalm 109:8 Let his days be few and let another take his office. - Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin)
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To: TSgt

Thank you for posting, TSgt! I have not experienced this but my husband has on two flights. He said although it is extremely sad, it is also an honor to sit on a plane escorting a service person home. With so much of our focus on our jobs, the economy, family issues, whatever.... it does bring clarity and meaning back to us. Thank you again for posting.


3 posted on 06/20/2011 6:50:20 AM PDT by momtothree
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To: TSgt

While I was reading your post, I wondered if you’d seen Taking Chance.

Thanks for posting your experience, and thanks for your service.

Rest in peace, Fallen Warrior.


4 posted on 06/20/2011 6:53:41 AM PDT by nuconvert ( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
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To: TSgt
On the other end of the spectrum I guess, one of the most enjoyable flights I ever took was from Newark to Houston returning from Norway. I had a first class seat. I noticed an Army Capt in cammies headed for coach. I asked the flight attendant if I could swap seats with him. She was like, Oh that's so nice, of course, and don't worry about your drink we'll bring it back to you. So I get seated and a lady in the center aisle behind me asks, “Did you just give up a first call seat to that soldier?” I said no big deal; but she insisted on using her free drink coupon to buy me a drink, Sky thank you. Well word must have spread because pretty soon I had Sky bottles lined up all the way across my seat tray. Then here comes the first class flight attendant with a tumbler full of iced Sky. The guy in the seat next to was said that is just unbelievable. The things you do for your country. Sempar Paratus!
5 posted on 06/20/2011 6:59:54 AM PDT by dblshot
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To: TSgt

Great post. And thank you for your service.


6 posted on 06/20/2011 7:06:40 AM PDT by agrace
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To: TSgt

Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”


7 posted on 06/20/2011 7:16:40 AM PDT by Portcall24
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To: momtothree

Our son is headed home this week from almost a year in Afghanistan. On May 27, while on patrol, he was marching behind his Platoon Leader when a bomb went off. It blew off the Platoon Leader’s legs and injured his right arm. Our son was thrown back quite a ways and was first to the injured man and applied tourniquets to both legs and with help, was able to save his arm. This man is 25 years old! Our son ended up with a concussion and to this day is unable to sleep and is just a mess!!! These young men and women are the Best of the Best!!!! When our son comes home, I will HUG him and never let go!!!


8 posted on 06/20/2011 7:19:15 AM PDT by Fran B (Love!)
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To: Fran B

I bet you absolutely cannot wait till you have your son in your arms!! God Bless him and the brave men and women who serve our country. Please give him a hug from me!! Prayers that he may rest soundly once again!


9 posted on 06/20/2011 7:23:57 AM PDT by momtothree
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To: TSgt
I quietly walked a few more steps and then said, it could have been worse, you could have flown in the cargo hold.

Bitch slap. Thanks.

10 posted on 06/20/2011 7:34:20 AM PDT by VeniVidiVici (Join the AFL-CIO. The Communist Party needs new blood.)
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To: TSgt

Taking Chance was excellent, and probably the best service Kevin Bacon’s done for this country. If there are people who can watch that with dry eyes, I don’t want to know them.


11 posted on 06/20/2011 7:40:00 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: dblshot

Nice post..thanks...juts wondering..what was the airline, and was 1st class full...usually if there are seats open in first or business class, airline will invite uniformed troops to move forward..


12 posted on 06/20/2011 10:57:00 AM PDT by ken5050 (Save the Earth..It's the only planet with chocolate!!!)
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To: ken5050
what was the airline, and was 1st class full
Continental and 1st class was full. There were other soldiers on board but no one else anted up. Having flown on C-130s where 1st class was on top of cargo pallets and I was in charge of pouring the hydraulic leak can back into the reservoir, coach is fine with me. I presented flags to the widow and father of one of my shipmates who died in the line of duty, helo crash. Not an easy thing to do.
13 posted on 06/20/2011 11:04:11 AM PDT by dblshot
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