The Young Lieutenant on My Flight

[+ ArVaGuy]

The young Lieutenant was about six feet tall, blonde, blue eyes, close-cropped haircut. He looked strikingly handsome in his Navy dress blues uniform. He boarded the Continental flight from Houston to Washington, DC prior to the call for pre-boarding of First Class. I boarded with the elite Star Alliance passengers and took my exit row seat. The young Lieutenant was just taking his seat in the row across the aisle from mine.

 

I settled into my seat as other passengers continued to board. Every once in a while I’d sneak a quick look at the young Lieutenant he was so hot. The young officer had a presence. For the duration of the two hour and thirty minute flight he sat in the row by himself looking determined. You could say he was sitting at attention, he read no book, though I think he flipped through the on-board magazine briefly. He did not even have an i-Pod but he checked his Blackberry.

 

The flight attendants appeared to pay special attention to the young Lieutenant, especially the women. I did not think much of it as I’ve seen flight crews, and passengers, give respect to the men and women of our armed forces while on travel many times before. But this was different, I was not sure why.

 

The young Lieutenant looked to be in his mid twenties certainly not yet thirty. But his eyes betrayed that he was mature beyond his years. I noted that there were two scars below his left eye when I copped a look at him during the flight. I surmise this young man has had experiences that many of his civilian peers have not.

 

Prior to landing, the purser spoke with the young Lieutenant about moving forward in the cabin to another seat. The young Lieutenant moved forward to row five, middle seat bulkhead. I thought nothing of it. Soon we landed at Reagan National Airport. The purser announced that there was an active duty military man on board who needed to deplane prior to everyone else and asked passengers to give him this courtesy. Everyone complied. I thought nothing of the request and deplaned about five minutes after him.

 

After a quick pit stop to recycle the water I’d consumed on the flight I began to make my way down the concourse to begin my drive home. It was about 6:30 in the evening, cold, and the rain was coming down in a light drizzle. Did not think much about the TSA officer and passengers looking out the window, they were just looking at the flight line.

 

Then I saw the hearse. It was silver and the lights of the tarmac gleamed from the window glass. There were six sailors standing on either side of the door. They were the Honor Guard. The luggage ramp was moved into place. The young Lieutenant was standing with two officers next to the ramp. I stopped to watch.

 

The casket was draped in the United States flag and wrapped in plastic covering. Passengers moving down the concourse suddenly stopped and it became very quiet. The casket made its way down the ramp. The six sailors, officers, the young Lieutenant, Arlington County Police, and the Airport Police saluted. The baggage handlers stood still while the casket was picked up and carried to the silver hearse.

 

The door of the silver hearse was closed. The Honor Guard boarded a black van near the hearse. The young Lieutenant and two officers got into another vehicle. The police escort began to move and the motorcade proceeded down the tarmac. The rain continued to drizzle.

 

The young Lieutenant was escorting a fellow sailor home.

[Zapped]

Touching story. Thanks for sharing it.

 

Z

[Guest novabear22031]

Thanks for a touching story... thanks for sharing....

[seaboy4hire]

Thank you for sharing this extremely touching moment. Coming from a military family and myself close to signing on the dotted line hits close to home. I know that this might sound harsh but more Americans should see something like this and maybe the law makers will be held more accountable for their actions.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[Guest novabear22031]

Sorry for the quick response to my last post - but have had a couple experiences like that a few years back when I was doing a bit more travel than I am now. Hoping it does not come off as hijacking your thread - far be it my intention. Just when you travel a bit you get a dose of reality and humility at times. Was thinking of doing a seperate thread - but thought this could build in to a thread of travel experiences that we witnessed that honor those that serve our country. That being said my two experiences follow. Both happened about 3 years ago just a week apart....

 

Was returning home from Chicago for IML/Bear Pride over Memorial Day weekend. As we waited at the gate, the gate agent got on the speaker system and announced that our flight would be departing soon - but there would be a change in boarding proceedures, and asked for co-operation with the change. At that point they said that any active duty in uniform please board now... these stunned men and women sheepishly walked up to board the plane - while the whole terminal broke in to applause!

 

Less than a week later I was returning from Palm Springs via Chicago with a connecting flight there. On our arrival at DCA as we were getting the gate - the flight attend got on the speaker and asked that we all remain in our seats till we got to the gate - except for one passenger - "would PFC "So-So" please come forward, there are people at the gate that are really wanting to see you". Not a person budged from their seat; and the poor guy had gotten a seat way back aft... .again applause broke out and every one stayed seated till the flight attendant said it was OK for us deplane. Even those in 1st class - since I had a bulkhead seat...

 

Kudos go to American Airlines and their Chicago base at least - not sure of other cities. As an aside I was going thru Chicago one time when they were doing one of their "fantasy flights" for terminally ill children... they had decorated the carts to haul passengers that need it - in colorful/whimsical creations. And the gate for their flight was equally decorated.

[Guest novabear22031]

Thank you for sharing this extremely touching moment. Coming from a military family and myself close to signing on the dotted line hits close to home. I know that this might sound harsh but more Americans should see something like this and maybe the law makers will be held more accountable for their actions.

 

Hugs,

Greg

 

Tried to find the pic... but there was a pic from the AP or UPI not long ago that showed people on the plane looking out the window as the casket was being taken from the cargo hold. Not sure how it would play with the airlines - but I do think that any person on a flight 'home "should be afforded the same respect that JFK got on his return to DC after the assassination. Most don't know that the bulkhead was cut to have the casket in the passnger cabin of Air Force One.

 

A sore point when I lost my Mom and Dad (ten years apart).. that they went by cargo to CT.

 

There was a time that when a funeral possession went by that folks stopped in their tracks. Today it is hard for most to give the right of way to a funeral possession - unless the police are there to stop traffic..

[seaboy4hire]

Guys thanks for reminding me of what happened a year or two ago as I was changing planes in Atlanta on July 3rd. I was in a food court area of the airport and I'm guessing maybe a platoon came through the area and EVERYONE stood up and gave the kids (they were all in the late teens and early 20's) applause. The looks on some of the kids faces were priceless in a good way.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[+ purplekow]

I am sure many here saw the HBO movie "Taking Chance" with Kevin Bacon which follows a military escort as he takes a returning soldier home to his final rest. Very touching movie. The movie left he with a lump in my throat, I would imagine I would be a teary eyed mess if I encountered this at an airport.

[+ ArVaGuy]

I am sure many here saw the HBO movie "Taking Chance" with Kevin Bacon which follows a military escort as he takes a returning soldier home to his final rest. Very touching movie. The movie left he with a lump in my throat, I would imagine I would be a teary eyed mess if I encountered this at an airport.

 

I was a teary eyed mess trying to drive home in the rain. This was an experience I'll never forget.

[Lankypeters]

into the open

 

The experience you describe is one of many that was hidden from the public during the reign of the evil Bush regime. No cameras, no press were allowed as these young men and women were brought home. Hide the realities and no one will know about them. A few weeks ago a photo of President Obama standing beside a flag-draped coffin -- was he saluting? -- appeared on front pages everywhere. Obama has indeed brought change to the presidency.

[uwsman2]

Messengers

 

These are very touching stories. No matter what one thinks of the war or of the president's new initiative for Afghanistan, supporting our men and women in uniform has to be a very high priority for all of us. They are putting their lives on the line for us.

 

I'm disappointed that many fine films trying to communicate the special lives of these people have received so little public support. The current one is The Messenger, which is fantastic. Earlier this year there was The Hurt Locker, which I thought was quite gripping, quite powerful, but which also has not received the audience support it deserves.

[+ ArVaGuy]

The experience you describe is one of many that was hidden from the public during the reign of the evil Bush regime. No cameras, no press were allowed as these young men and women were brought home. Hide the realities and no one will know about them. A few weeks ago a photo of President Obama standing beside a flag-draped coffin -- was he saluting? -- appeared on front pages everywhere. Obama has indeed brought change to the presidency.

 

I do not agree that such was hidden from the public during the Bush Administration. The US Military has long transported the fallen on commerical carriers. This just happend to be the first time I witnesed such so personally.

 

In addition, that one photo of Obama at the flag-draped casket was a lot more difficult for him to get than you realize. Every family but one refused to allow their loved one to be photographed in this manner the day those bodies arrived at Dover. Its a fine line for many of these families when it comes to such an instance to distance private grief from intrusion of politics.

[+ ArVaGuy]

Guys thanks for reminding me of what happened a year or two ago as I was changing planes in Atlanta on July 3rd. I was in a food court area of the airport and I'm guessing maybe a platoon came through the area and EVERYONE stood up and gave the kids (they were all in the late teens and early 20's) applause. The looks on some of the kids faces were priceless in a good way.

 

Hugs,

Greg

 

I've seen this happen at DFW in the United terminal. There's a USO gate for the military flights. The commercial airlines provide charter jets to the military to transport toops and use this gate at DFW. Most of these service members were moving in and out of Fort Hood.

 

Several times while I've been in transit chaning planes a young military person has been in line in front of me getting coffee or food. Every chance I get I offer to pay for their meal or drinks and these guys are just so appreciative. They are certainly not paid well enough to take the risks they experience.

[GoodFella69]

Powerful Story...

 

ArVaGuy: Thanks so much for sharing this powerful and meaningful story.

 

You remind us what is truly important and newsworthy this week while the national media obsess on reporting sensationalized tidbits about Tiger Woods, Adam Lambert, Jon & Kate Gosselin, and the State Dinner Party Crashers.

[Lankypeters]

I do not agree that such was hidden from the public during the Bush Administration. The US Military has long transported the fallen on commerical carriers. This just happend to be the first time I witnesed such so personally.

 

In addition, that one photo of Obama at the flag-draped casket was a lot more difficult for him to get than you realize. Every family but one refused to allow their loved one to be photographed in this manner the day those bodies arrived at Dover. Its a fine line for many of these families when it comes to such an instance to distance private grief from intrusion of politics.

 

The Bush and Cheney regime would not permit journalists from photographing flag draped coffins as they arrived in this country.

 

The issue is not that families were unwilling to allow their deceased to be photographed. The issue is that Bush, Cheney et al, would never have been photographed next to the coffin of a serviceperson.

 

Hide it and ignore it and it's not there. Orwell was here.

[Lankypeters]

The Bush and Cheney regime would not permit journalists from photographing flag draped coffins as they arrived in this country.

 

The issue is not that families were unwilling to allow their deceased to be photographed. The issue is that Bush, Cheney et al, would never have been photographed next to the coffin of a serviceperson.

 

Hide it and ignore it and it's not there. Orwell was here.

 

 

 

Should read: "to photograph"

[KMEM]

ArVAGuy-

 

This is one of those sorry it happened but you wouldn't want to miss it for any thing stories. Thanks for sharing.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[KMEM]

The Bush and Cheney regime would not permit journalists from photographing flag draped coffins as they arrived in this country.

 

The issue is not that families were unwilling to allow their deceased to be photographed. The issue is that Bush, Cheney et al, would never have been photographed next to the coffin of a serviceperson.

 

Hide it and ignore it and it's not there. Orwell was here.

 

That is an interesting conclusion that you are proposing. I have heard that it is or was official US policy that returning remains of US servicemen were not allowed to be photographed. I have also heard that it was entirely or mainly the request of the family members that this would be so. I have never heard that it was a unilateral decision of Bush/Cheney to make this policy but sentiments of the military, the families involved and other concerned citizens who sought to make this the official policy. The grief and privacy of individual families should be completely an individual reaction, not an official policy.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Lankypeters]

It was the Bush administration's policy to prohibit photographers from the sites of returning coffins. This is not something I am proposing. This is fact.

[Lankypeters]

The administration also prohibited reporters from covering military funerals in Arlington Cemetery and elsewhere.

[Lankypeters]

Bush and Cheney were keenly aware that graphic TV coverage of the war in Vietnam had eventually turned public opinion against that war. The two men did not want to risk that sort of response happening with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

[MsGuy]

The administration also prohibited reporters from covering military funerals in Arlington Cemetery and elsewhere.

 

If it were one of my nephews being buried, I wouldn't want some news crew showing up to fill 45 seconds of air time. Filming an anonymous coffin is one thing, exploiting a particular family's grief is another. You know damn well that some asshole reporter would wind up shoving a mike into the mother's face just to juice up the footage.

[Lankypeters]

Arlington is a national cemetery and the press has a right to be there. Mourners do not have to speak to them. However sensitive the occasion, the prohibition against covering it was censorship of the press.

[KMEM]

It was the Bush administration's policy to prohibit photographers from the sites of returning coffins. This is not something I am proposing. This is fact.

 

Rightly or wrongly, according to the Washington Post, this policy was started by Clinton and continued by Bush.

 

How much this hinders the freedom of the press is debatable. To paraphrase MsGuy, there are limits to what they should be doing.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Guest novabear22031]

If it were one of my nephews being buried, I wouldn't want some news crew showing up to fill 45 seconds of air time. Filming an anonymous coffin is one thing, exploiting a particular family's grief is another. You know damn well that some asshole reporter would wind up shoving a mike into the mother's face just to juice up the footage.

 

Hear you there, but in the end I think the press is better than that at times in situations like what you talked about. The Washington Post had done burials at Arlington National Cemetery; with pics, bio, and comments from the family. It seemed to a agreeable between all parities it seems.

 

Really not wanting to take this thread to the "wasteland". At least here in the DC area we have never had a reporter shoving a mike in the face of a grieving family - unless they wanted to.

 

For me the Bush Era policy white-washed the toll that our youth paid - without proper respect. Today I see the effects of the war in Iran and Afghanistan in the customers I work with day in and day out.

 

For me; the images as our fallen arriving at Dover gives the rest of us a reminder of the sacrifice that some give up for the rest of us.

 

Just happy that after Vietnam that we as a country can celebrate based on the stories shared here - and honor in some way those that served their country - and in the end paid the final price in doing so...

 

Again with all due respect to ArVaGuy... different stories for different times...