A Fallen Hero And Some Disrespectful Behavior
by Big Dog on Jul 28, 2011 at 21:18 Military, Opinion
I had the solemn honor of being on an aircraft today that was carrying one of our fallen heroes. His escorts were on board our plane. When we landed in Atlanta we were asked to remain seated until the escorts left the plane.
Everyone on board remained seated and quiet as those men gathered their belongings and left to do one of the hardest jobs a service member has to do. It is an honor to be on a funeral detail but one we hope never to have. We would rather do that for an aged veteran who lived a long life.
I was proud that everyone remained seated and allowed those heroes to leave unmolested by the surge of people that happens when a plane empties.
I went inside and was able to look out of the window where I saw two people holding a flag or guidon but my view was obstructed so I could not make it out. I also saw the American flag and workers standing with their hands over their hearts.
A special carrier pained in red, white, and blue was in place with the words “Some Gave All” inscribed on the back. As the flag draped casket was coming down the conveyor I stood at attention with my hand over my heart. Soldiers (the fallen hero was Air Force) from an Army unit were there and stood and saluted. Many people around us saw what was going on and when they realized what was taking place, they stood. Men removed their hats and all of us who stood waited until the hero was placed in the special carrier.
I was very unhappy with a number of people who knew what was going on but chose to read their papers and play with their electronic gadgets. They looked at all of us, looked outside to see why we were doing what we were and carried on as if nothing was taking place.
No matter how one feels about war or the military the fact remains that our fallen heroes deserve our respect.
Reading the paper or playing with an electronic gadget is not a sign of respect.
You people, and you know who you are, should be ashamed.
And for those of you who showed respect, I will take the liberty to thank you on behalf of the family and friends of that fallen hero.
I took two pictures of the carrier and I think I got the Flag draped casket in one of them. I will not post that out of respect for the fallen and his family.
Cave Canem!
Never surrender, never submit.
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Tags: air force, army, disrespect, fallen hero
Our veterans should always be respected and revered, whether living or dead, simply because what they do is what allows the rest of us (yes, even the paper-readers and gizmo players)to do what we do as free people.
In addition, they do what the rest of us seem unwilling to do- that is why it is a volunteer armed forces. They are not well-paid, but most do it because for them, it is a calling.