| American Airlines Letter - As Read on JD's Show |
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American Airlines Letter - As Read on JD's Show
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Date: December 3, 2006
Fllight 1904 ORD-MIA
Captain Jeff Wallace
First Officer Gary Blied
We were informed at the gate that the remains of MSgt Shawn Richardson would
shortly be loaded on our flight for the trip to Miami. He was a 17 year
veteran of the United States Air Force and had been killed in the service of
our country. I went down onto the ramp and found the long box appropriately
stationed off to the side in a luggage cart. The curtains on the cart were
pulled. I spent a few moments in prayer with him.
The Captain and I finished our preflight duties and then went down onto the
ramp, checked it with the crew chiefs to observe the loading of MSgt
Richardson. We departed almost an hour late due to our late arrival into
Chicago.
We called for a push and it was immediately granted. Normally there is a
wait. We called for ground taxi and again- immediately granted. Normally
there is a wait. We were cleared onto the runway and for an immediate take
off. Passing through about twenty five thousand feet we were further cleared
direct OMN (Ormand Beach) which is the first fix on the arrival to Miami.
Not a word was ever said, but people were watching out for us.
The flight to and landing in Miami were uneventful, until we went to turn
off the runway. The tower asked us to proceed a little further down where an
escort was waiting for us. We did as instructed and a Miami Dade Police
cruiser met us on the taxiway. He escorted our American Airlines Boeing 757
to the D terminal. The entire North ramp had been cleared of all aircraft.
As we approached we noticed the lights. There were at least a half dozen
fire trucks and no less than 15 police cars and countless other vehicles.
They were all parked in rows with their lights flashing. As we taxied our
aircraft to the gate, the fire trucks saluted our arrival with crossed
streams of water shooting over the aircraft.
We parked the aircraft and shut down. After our checklists, Captain Jeff
Wallace and I went down to the ramp level and observed the unpacking of the
casket, then the dressing with the flag. It was accepted by the Honor Guard
which was comprised of members of the Miami Dade Police Department and Air
Force Honor Guard.
After the "present arms" order (when all military and former military render
salutes and civilians put their hands over their hearts) and the "order
arms" order, when the salutes were finished, I noticed our jet. As I looked
up from the ramp level I saw a face in every window. Not one of our
passengers had moved until our fallen soldier had departed the aircraft.
When the procession left the airport, there were two cruisers in front of
the hearse and I have no idea how many behind. It was worthy of a
Presidential motorcade and a fitting and probably all too uncommon show of
love and respect for one of our fallen.
And in case I haven't mentioned this previously- it was 1:30am, and I
would bet that most of the people on our ramp were not on the clock.
Every now and then you see it: the silent majority that makes this country
the best in the world. I was so proud that night. Proud that my felow
citizens on every level worked to get MSgt Richardson to his final repose.
Proud of all of the people that showed up on the ramp that early Saturday
morning to show their respect.
Proud that American Airlines knows how to handle this situation with
humility and honor.
As you go through your day, remember that there are thousands of men and
women overseas in the service of our country, far from home and in dangers
way. Please remember that they have families back here who live every day in
fear of the phone call or visit with the news that their worst nightmare has
come true.
Be thankful of their efforts and if you know someone who is in the service-
get their address from their family and write to them and thank them.
Gary Blied,
Pilot, American Airlines
Major, USAF (ret) |
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