Yesterday flying home from Augusta after visiting The Masters for 2 days this happened......
The plane was completely loaded and after 15 mins I noticed a Naval officer boarded and sat down at the front quietly. I didn't think anything else about it.
About 30 mins before landing the pilot came over the speakers with the following announcement.
That a Navy Seal was being brought home and we had an officer on board escorting him to his family. The soldier was KIA and was being buried in The Woodlands, Tx
Then the pilot quoted President Lincoln....
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God
They asked everyone to remain silent and stay seated while the officer got off and the casket was removed from the plane.
As we landed and was taxi over to the terminal we were greeted by 2 fire trucks spraying the water cannons over the plane, and we came to stop on the tarmac greeted by navy officers, police escort, and his family and emergency vehicles.
They stopped the plane with my window right where the family was standing.
Like everyone else I started filming the event and this awe inspiring thing that I was a small part of.... about 5 mins into my video the soldiers casket was rolling down the ramp from the plane and I looked over at his family and his mother collapsed on the tarmac. I think it all hit home for her at that moment....a tear welled up in my eyes and I turned off the camera and deleted the video. I just didn't think it was appropriate anymore.
It reminded me of while I was off having a great time in Augusta, this family was devastated with the loss of this hero.
It was as surreal event that I will never forget.....
I want to say thank you to all my family, friends, and any of you here on TBH that are military or retired....you have my upmost respect.
God Bless the US Military and the family of this fallen soldier.....
The plane was completely loaded and after 15 mins I noticed a Naval officer boarded and sat down at the front quietly. I didn't think anything else about it.
About 30 mins before landing the pilot came over the speakers with the following announcement.
That a Navy Seal was being brought home and we had an officer on board escorting him to his family. The soldier was KIA and was being buried in The Woodlands, Tx
Then the pilot quoted President Lincoln....
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God
They asked everyone to remain silent and stay seated while the officer got off and the casket was removed from the plane.
As we landed and was taxi over to the terminal we were greeted by 2 fire trucks spraying the water cannons over the plane, and we came to stop on the tarmac greeted by navy officers, police escort, and his family and emergency vehicles.
They stopped the plane with my window right where the family was standing.
Like everyone else I started filming the event and this awe inspiring thing that I was a small part of.... about 5 mins into my video the soldiers casket was rolling down the ramp from the plane and I looked over at his family and his mother collapsed on the tarmac. I think it all hit home for her at that moment....a tear welled up in my eyes and I turned off the camera and deleted the video. I just didn't think it was appropriate anymore.
It reminded me of while I was off having a great time in Augusta, this family was devastated with the loss of this hero.
It was as surreal event that I will never forget.....
I want to say thank you to all my family, friends, and any of you here on TBH that are military or retired....you have my upmost respect.
God Bless the US Military and the family of this fallen soldier.....
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