A little perspective

derg

derg

Apparently a "terse" writer
Staff member
I've been contacted by the chief pilots office that I have the honor of flying Anthony C. Johnson (MA2) to Houston, Texas this evening, which is his final resting place because he was killed in action. I'm not sure of his specifics, but it's amazing that we live in a culture that we can hop on Google and find out what Kim Kardashian wore to breakfast, debate the color of a idiotic dress on a crappy overexposed picture on Facebook and good people like Mr. Johnson died for their country and don't even get much a whimper after their ultimate sacrifice. I don't know what happened, or the circumstances, but Mr. Johnson's blood and other veterans throughout history make the red in our American flag richer and stronger.

Tonight when we land, I'm going to follow protocol and have everyone remain seated, announce the arrival of the military escort and the bereaved meeting him on the ramp and hopefully, at least one of the 154 on board will give pause and realize that at the end of the day, crap we're mad, upset or frustrated about, well 99% of it is "optional drama" you're always free to step away from and move forward.

But veterans like Anthony C. Johnson can't. And many veterans that came home physically and psychologically wounded from the toils of war can't either.

That gave me a little perspective on my petty little "strike" I went on this week because when I asked for cooler heads to prevail, well, they didn't and it quite frankly pissed me the hell off because I should be spending time innovating and creating ideas than untangling adults that disregarded my demand to drop it and move forward.

I'm moving forward. I really don't give a poop about what happened last week, last month, three years ago when someone called someone else a poopyhead. I care about right now and tomorrow. Life is too short to be mired down with old, dusty squabbles about cat videos or bruised egos from years ago.

My goal is to help you guys reach your professional goals in aviation and, hopefully, we can drink beer and share some laughs along the way.

If you're not with me, happy trails, it's been real. If you are with me, let's go break some barriers down, capture success, drink some adult beverages, pay it forward and have a great effing time doing it.

That's what I care about. That's what Jetcareers is about AND SHALL REMAIN ABOUT.

Always run. Never walk.
 
Great post. I realize going about my day, and worrying about the little things, I lose perspective on the bigger picture of life and the journey. I have been following Jetcareers for about a year now and working on a career change to chase my aviation dream. With you Derg as this website has given me a lot of insight and tips and hope to give back one day.
 
RIP to the deceased. It's great that Delta gives that honor to our fallen soldiers.

And great post Doug. I had a long response typed out, but I'm not as good with words as I once was, so I deleted it and I'll keep this simple.

This is a great site and is a valuable resource for people in just about every stage of the career. Thank you for doing all of the hard work that keeps this site available to all of us.
 
A few years ago I was fortunate enough to be present on the ramp at DCA when an Airways flight parked carrying one of our fallen. The entire, and I mean ENTIRE ramp stopped, faced the flag draped casket and paused in reflection and respect while the detail carried our soldier to a waiting vehicle and loaded him in to continue his journey home. From that day forward I've kept it in mind, and tried to keep things in perspective. Once in a while I forget that, and something comes along to remind me. This time it's this thread.

Anyway, I'm on board, and beverages on me for any JCer someday if we ever have the chance.
 
That truly is an honor. It is very pleasing to hear how seriously flying a fallen warrior home is taken at your company, as it should be. Great post.
 
While I was serving I found out that one of my school mates was killed in Afghanistan. This was while I was in Bahrain and at times I was pissed because of the schedule we had as maintenance. After I found out about my friends death, It made me realize that my problems were small in comparison.

The things we argue over everyday, both on this forum and in our lives may be subjects we are passionate about. Just remember when you are sour about something, Anthony did not have that chance as his life was sacrificed for our freedom to argue on a public forum. Maybe he one day wanted to be a pilot, and never had the chance to "embrace the suck" we all talk about.... Just my .02
 
Well put, Doug.

I've had the honor several times to fly our fallen with very similar experiences. The petty crap we go through day to day doesn't hold a candle to what they gave.

One sticks in my head with particular gravity- It was the first I flew, and the CA and I went downstairs to salute him being offloaded in a very heavy snowstorm. Seeing the family escorted out there to stand with us was something you cannot do while keeping your eyes dry at the same time. A mother touching her fallen son's coffin is something you never forget.

I've had the honor guard in ATL meet the plane a number of other times... it is amazing how many of the passengers stay on board even after the honored group leave every time.
 
I have never flown military remains. But I have flown the remains of village elders, and the amount of respect and honor shown by the village members is absolutely humbling. To pull up to the ramp and and have an entire village waiting for you.

There is my little tangent.
 
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