A soldier's last flight hits home

[wicket]

A soldier's last flight hits home

After we were in the air, the pilot announced that the Navy captain on board was escorting home the body of a soldier who had died in Iraq. When we landed at Logan Airport, the pilot made another announcement. Don't be alarmed by the flashing lights, he said. He explained that the Logan Fire Department had formed a color guard to honor the soldier.

I witnessed the Navy captain crying as he received an ovation from the passengers on Flight 1220. I witnessed outside my window the slow process of ensuring that the body of the fallen soldier was treated with the respect he deserved.

On most flights, as soon as that bulkhead door opens, there is a scramble to get off the plane. On Flight 1220, even though the door was open, an entire planeload of adults sat silently, waiting for the body to be removed. I witnessed the flag-draped coffin of one of our finest slowly carried away by six Navy officers.

I did not witness a single dry eye on the plane. I heard a woman nearby say, "Why must America's most honorable die for a decision made under less than honorable pretenses?"

I will never forget what I saw that night: real pain and sorrow from average Americans for a young soldier whom none of us have ever met.

Somewhere out there are this boy's parents, deeply mourning their loss. Sadly, our government's efforts haven't just insulated the public from the mounting losses; the families of the soldiers are unable to see and feel the people who mourn alongside them.

The leaders on Capitol Hill continue to fight about if and when to bring our troops home from the Iraqi debacle. But until they make the correct decision, our soldiers will continue to come home one by one -- in the cargo holds of planes just like Delta Flight 1220.

[cwydro]

1. Wow.

No dry eyes here either.

Good post.

[rodeodance]

2. Thanks and Rec. --will go to all in address book.

[ellaydubya]

3. This is reality

What a beautiful message and, oh so sad. This is what it is all about- our young people dying, and for what. I, too, am crying. Thank you for bringing it home.

[LuckyLib]

4. Thanks for that. One by one, on a commercial flight is the only way we might

see our war dead. Our gubmint doesn't want us to see the many that come in the cargo holds of military aircraft.

[Divernan]

5. K&R - I just forwarded this to 30 people.

nt

[Eurobabe]

6. This happened to me on a flight to Boston last year

an Army officer was accompanying a body (in the hold below) and the steward asked if we could all wait and let the officer get off the plane first. I was really shook up over this, and no one moved for what seemed like an eternity when we landed at BOS. It really hits you when you realize the sacrifice of these men and women, for Bush/Cheney's War Machine.

[wicket]

7. Oh god

[roody]

10. pointless, useless sacrifice

[Eurobabe]

11. I agree, and I was literally shaking in my seat

wondering who this young man's family was, what they were feeling at that moment. It was all very sad.

[roody]

16. It is time for us to stop being polite and

yell, "Why are these soldiers being asked to die so the rich can get richer??!!"

[lse7581011]

8. Kicked, Recommended and Forwarded-Thanks! n/t

[cwydro]

9. kick

again.

Even though people care more about Rita Crosby

[tavalon]

12. That was painfully beautiful

Thank you for that tribute. And a thank you to Delta for including all of you in the honoring of that fine soldier.

[Kingshakabobo]

13. .

[wicket]

14. kick

[wicket]

15. .