I've traveled a lot in recent years, but this was a first for me...

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sixseven

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Been planning this 2 week trip to Jamaica for months, had the whole family along and we were all super excited and chomping at the bit to get to the Caribbean and hit the beach. We had to fly to Atlanta to change planes and as our plane approaches the gate, I look out the window and see one of our fallen soldiers being transported. It completely caught me off gaurd. The American flag covered casket was just coming out of the plane and down the conveyor belt. As the service members came to full attention, every luggage thrower, cart driver, and food service person on the tarmac stopped what they were doing and removed their hat to honor the soldier. None of them moved a muscle in the 100+ degree heat until the casket was out of sight. The scene stirred up quite a bit of emotion in me, I have to admit it brought me to tears. It's a hard thing to try to explain to a 6 year old daughter, but she understood the word "proud", because that's what I was...of the soldier, of the employees for their respect of him, and of our country.

:soldiers:
 

Lone Wolf '49

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Been planning this 2 week trip to Jamaica for months, had the whole family along and we were all super excited and chomping at the bit to get to the Caribbean and hit the beach. We had to fly to Atlanta to change planes and as our plane approaches the gate, I look out the window and see one of our fallen soldiers being transported. It completely caught me off gaurd. The American flag covered casket was just coming out of the plane and down the conveyor belt. As the service members came to full attention, every luggage thrower, cart driver, and food service person on the tarmac stopped what they were doing and removed their hat to honor the soldier. None of them moved a muscle in the 100+ degree heat until the casket was out of sight. The scene stirred up quite a bit of emotion in me, I have to admit it brought me to tears. It's a hard thing to try to explain to a 6 year old daughter, but she understood the word "proud", because that's what I was...of the soldier, of the employees for their respect of him, and of our country.

:soldiers:

Thank you.
 

sixseven

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I thought it was an incredible experience. The plane carrying the soldier was already taxied to the gate when we got there, but our pilot told us that when they bring in a soldier on one of the planes, that the fire trucks will get on either side of the runway and shoot water streams over the plane as they pull through. It's a great thing to see people show their appreciation for our service members.
 

Shadowrider

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That's the water cannon salute. It's done for retiring captains and aircraft on their last flight.

Awesome that you got to see this and and explain it to your daughter. One of the best posts that I can remember, thanks for sharing!
 

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