Flight turns unforgettable when passengers learn of fallen soldier

Oxman

Well-Known Member
A little perspective for some people.


http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/fallen-soldier-213011521.html

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.

 
I was on the ramp a few years ago in DCA when an Airways Airbus parked and an honor guard and transportation detail offloaded a fallen soldier on his way home. Truly a humbling sight to see. The entire ramp stopped and there were folks glued to both the airplane and terminal windows. Suddenly our bad day wasn't so bad.
 
Saw an honor guard flight for the first time the other day. US Airways A320 that came in from PHX...it was quite a process, very sad to watch. Rampers were very respectful.
 
The neat thing about this, is how supportive the average American really is. There are a lot of loud, outspoken morons on the news, the internet, and in real life, but I've never ceased to be surprised by the American people as a whole when it comes to this sort of thing. The random tattoed guy with a megadeth tshirt working the register at the East Jesus gas and go, who wholeheartedly and while completely unprovoked, thanks a guy/gal for their service. The dreaded petuli infused surf girl in san dog who in passing tells you about her father's 30 years of service and how proud of him she is for that. When you take the politics and buzzwords out of the equation, and speak human to human, I have found that there is no shortage of heart in our society for the armed forces, often from the most unexpected individuals. I don't think many of us deserve this kind of thanks, but there are those that do, and it does remind you of the meaning of service. And by that, I mean that we owe it to all these people to excel at our jobs, and things like this are a reminder to never stop taking it seriously.
 
If there was really so much heart in our society for the armed forces, then we wouldn't be sending them off to die senseless deaths. Sorry, but I just can't be so optimistic about it. Saying "thank you for your service" is great and all, but fighting to bring people home before they die needlessly would be real support. Americans show support for the armed forces in name only.
 
If there was really so much heart in our society for the armed forces, then we wouldn't be sending them off to die senseless deaths. Sorry, but I just can't be so optimistic about it. Saying "thank you for your service" is great and all, but fighting to bring people home before they die needlessly would be real support. Americans show support for the armed forces in name only.

I don't disagree with what you are saying in some respects. I'd offer that a lot of Americans do care about that, yourself obviously included, and saying thanks is all they can really do. Believe me, it makes me feel uncomfortable every single time someone thanks me when I'm in uniform, but at the same time, I appreciate that they care. It is just awkward because I don't feel like I have done anything other than be away from home for long periods of time and work long hours (which could be said about a lot of other careers). Either way, whether or not it should be this way, the average American has exactly 0 say in what we do with our military, what we spend, where we go, who we fight, or when we come home. We lull ourselves into believing that we have a vote in this respect during election season, but I think we can agree that history has shown this not to be the case.
 
Actually, I think that vote has a great deal to do with it. I get sick to my stomach every time I see one of those caskets, because I voted for the wrong guy in 2000, and in the state that swung the election, no less. Don't ever let anyone convince you that that vote every four years doesn't matter. History and lives swing on that vote.
 
Actually, I think that vote has a great deal to do with it. I get sick to my stomach every time I see one of those caskets, because I voted for the wrong guy in 2000, and in the state that swung the election, no less. Don't ever let anyone convince you that that vote every four years doesn't matter. History and lives swing on that vote.

I think that en masse, yes, votes certainly do count. In terms of who specifically sits in the White House, or on the Hill. No question there. My personal opinion however, is that the person does not matter. There are many more important non-elected officials who actually dictate policy. Elected officials are just not "smart" enough on the issues innately to really do anything other than rely on experts. Those experts are influenced by money and special interests. From that, we get recommendations for a lot of things that are not always aligned with the wishes of the American people. It isn't a conspiracy in my opinion, and that is not what I am trying to argue, but it does seem to be the way that the government operates. If you voted for the other side of the aisle in 2008 (given what I'm presuming you mean by 2000), then I'm sure you have seen how different the practical application of his presidency has been from either the '08 or '12 campaign. I don't chalk that up to anything other than listening to, and trusting his brain trust. Not judging but it is what it is. The most powerful and influential people in Washington will never be on a ballot.
 
My personal opinion however, is that the person does not matter.

So you think Al Gore would have gotten us involved in a war in Iraq? Of course not.

If you voted for the other side of the aisle in 2008 (given what I'm presuming you mean by 2000)

No, I was talking about 2000. I voted for President Bush. Worst thing I've ever done.
 
If there was really so much heart in our society for the armed forces, then we wouldn't be sending them off to die senseless deaths. Sorry, but I just can't be so optimistic about it. Saying "thank you for your service" is great and all, but fighting to bring people home before they die needlessly would be real support. Americans show support for the armed forces in name only.

Agreed.

I have a ton of respect for those in the armed forces. I grew up around them and even without the whole being willing to sacrifice your life part, it's a tough lifestyle at times. Lots of time away from home in a lot if cases. Pack your family up (if you're lucky) and move them to the other side of the world on a moments notice. It's tough.

My issue certainly isn't with the troops themselves, as they're usually doing it for the right reasons. But nowadays I can't help wonder who sees what we're doing with our military (long drawn out conflicts with an unacceptably high number of casualties that will almost certainly cause problems if/when you return home) and think "yeah...I think that's what I want to do." It's one thing for those who enter to become pilots or learn some other specialized skill. But for those on the ground I'd imagine the list of alternatives muse be pretty low to get them to sign up.

I fly a lot of kids to CAE on their way to basic. I can't help but feel bad for them knowing what awaits them. Much respect to them, but it certainly makes me scratch my head.
 
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