The flight to LA today was very different. We had a Marine Gunnery Sargent board with a chest of ribbons, straighter than a rod, in dress blues, the type man all looked up to. His dress was perfect, his shoes shined, never a smile, but he looked devine. He had a Duty to perform. He was escorting home a fallen American Hero. His charge was aboard on his final trip home wrapped in Our Flag for which he gave all. Before we landed the Pilot came on the PA and told all what was happening. He requested all stay seated when we got to the gate to allow Gunny to come forward to meet the waiting Honor Guard and retrieve the Fallen Hero. After 5 hours in an aluminum tube no one moved. Then you heard clapping as the Gunny came forward. Then all was silent for several minutes as Gunny waited to meet the Honor Guard with the whole plane clapping when they came aboard to tell Gunny his charge was home. An older lady was seated next me - the age where not all thoughts run together. All of this brought tears to her eyes and she told me she had lost a son also in the military.... Today was a reminder of what has been sacrificed for us to be free.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 04:24:15 +0000
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