A little perspective

Derg said:
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
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I Woke up this morning and turned on the TV while getting ready for work. Wasn't paying too much attention till I saw a live police conference and a headline that said "breaking news". I thought ohh something is happening. Nope. The whole thing was about some actresses dress that was stolen at the oscars was found last night.

I nearly jumped out of my 4th floor holiday inn express window.
 
Great perspective and a somber reminder of those who give us the freedom to express our opinions and live our lifestyle by sacrificing so much.

I live in an area where I can see the helos fly into Walter Reed and at times watch the Ambulance (or the big bus of an ambulance) come around the beltway. It has always been a somber reminder to me of the gratitude I owe to those who serve. I thank all of those who make sacrifices to give me the life I live.

This is a great place, full of helpful people, and those that I hope to share adult beverages with!
 
I went on a skiing vacation a few weeks back and met two great guys who had lost their legs in service to their country. In spite of it all they were skiing down the mountain having a blast. I spent some time with them chatting and thanked them for their service; as usual they were extremely humble because they considered themelves the lucky ones - they came home. (Or as one of them put it "most of me did").

These brave people have gone through hell and it seems we hear about "in other news".

Great post, Doug - will drink one for you and the fallen this evening!

Bp244
 
I hope if one • stands up while the goings on are happening out side are still going on, the rest of the passengers kick thirty ass.

I've seen that ceremony go down at LAX once, and I couldn't hold it back. Looked like a little girl.
 
mshunter said:
I hope if one • stands up while the goings on are happening out side are still going on, the rest of the passengers kick thirty ass.

I've seen that ceremony go down at LAX once, and I couldn't hold it back. Looked like a little girl.
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United was carrying someone home - I never did find out who - at LAX, while I was on the Brasilia.

We all (ramp, provisioning, flight operations, customer service) just sort of stopped what we were doing while they taxied past. It's probably the least busy that Terminal 8 has looked during daylight hours in a long while.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
United was carrying someone home - I never did find out who - at LAX, while I was on the Brasilia.

We all (ramp, provisioning, flight operations, customer service) just sort of stopped what we were doing while they taxied past. It's probably the least busy that Terminal 8 has looked during daylight hours in a long while.
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I just sat and watched in awe from inside. Military always gets special treatment, always. I've been in arguments with gate agents about meeting them down with our pre-boards. "Look lady, we are having this argument, because people like him/her fought for you and I to be able to have this argument. They are coming down early, and that's the the of it. Call your red coat over, I really don't give a flying f! My name and employee number are on the release, PRINT ANOTHER ONE IF YOU NEED IT THAT BAD." They do what others don't have the balls for.
 
When I was still flying, we stopped in FMN for fuel on the way to the west coast. As we taxied in, there were hundreds of people on the ramp, military and civilian. Color guard, honor guard, the whole nine yards.

Taxiing in behind us was a Kalitta Falcon with the remains of a soldier who had been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. We stood there with our passengers and watched the ceremony in silence. After it was over, we paid for our fuel and the girl at the FBO told us that they had a similar ceremony a year or two before...for this soldier's brother. There weren't any dry eyes on the airplane when we took off that day to finish the trip.

The sacrifices that young men and women are willing to make will never cease to amaze me.
 
We were taxiing out in ATL yesterday and saw the tug with the honor colors and casket drive by. It must have been the same one. It's always a somber sight.
 
As a Team Leader in the MN Army National Guard's Military Funeral Honors detail I've had the honor of transferring many of our heroes home from Delta, American, and Kalitta airplanes. I've always wondered if there is a company specific SOP for soldier's remains, or if it's left up to the PIC of the flight? Delta and Kalitta have always been spot on with how their whole operation treats the families and the Honor Guard plane side, but American seemed to have no clue what was happening or how to handle us once we got on the ramp.

Either way, thank you to all of the aircrews that have brought our brothers and sisters home. It makes a huge impact on the families during their time of grief.
 
AWESOME post Derg! RIP to the fallen soldier. What a powerful message especially the ending. Not just for a career but for life. Follow your passion, live enthusiastically. Run... Never Walk
 
I would like to thank this pilot for his moving post. I am a family member of the fallen military personnel he had the honor of transporting. It is hard to say good-bye to anyone. However, it is more difficult when the individual is young, serving our Nation, and a new father. He leaves behind not only his family, his soul mate, but a sweet one-year-old who adored her father. This little girl brought out the caring individual Anthony sometimes did not reveal to everyone. It is a shame he was called home so early in his and his little girl's life.
It brought tears to my eyes how this one individual cared for someone he did not know by ensuring this fallen hero was given the respect and honor any service personnel deserves. I am sure he will be taking some riff for delaying someone who cares more about the color of a dress, as he paid tribute to this fallen hero, then the cost these individuals paid, whether in combat or shore duty, in order for them to have the opportunity to debate a color of a dress. This act of respect gives some peace to his family and loved ones as we all must face the reality he will no longer be with us in bodily form.
For all those who support this honorable pilot - thank you. Thank you for showing my niece, Anthony's family, and all service personnel that there are still Americans who appreciate the sacrifice it takes to serve and protect us. I wish I could have been there to personally thank him and to witness this show of honor and respect.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.
 
When I returned from Iraq our first stop on U.S. soil was Andrews AFB. The entire group (all branches of the service) had just unloaded from the final 11hr leg of the trip. We were inside the building processing in; bitching about how crowded it was, whining about how long the tour was, mad at how stupid the military has to make every little process, and being inwardly ecstatic that we were almost home.

A Kalitta airplane was on the ramp, ready, when the Color Guard arrived in escort. It was a very somber moment as we, as individuals, each realized that one of our fellow service members was home as well. However this one would have been happy to stand in the crowded room and elated to do any amount of paperwork. It gave me pause.......

Thank you @Dreg for the reminder and for JC.
 
Derg said:
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.
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Thank you for posting your perspective, Doug. I think one thing that working in Afghanistan has given me is perspective.

Basically, if someone isn't trying to kill me or a servicemember, it's really small potatoes.

Life can be tough, but Each persons struggle is different; sometimes it's a matter of your own paradigm.
 
Well said Captain...one of my good friends from high school paid the ultimate price for Kuwait to be liberated 24 years ago this month. Had he returned from his service, I am sure he would be a member of this very board. One of his passions was to be a Commercial Pilot.

In honor of Lt. Hedeen and all of our military, whose sacrifices cannot be measured.
 
Thank you so much for a well written article. Anthony C. Johnson (MA2) is my cousin. Even though tears welled in my eyes as I read it. My heart swelled with such pride. He was more then a dedicated soldier, he was a dedicated American. Loved and respect by many. I thank you for putting in perspective what life and living is truly about. Rest in Paradise Anthony. I love you.
 
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