“Be
ready! Let God’s justice protect you
like armor." – Ephesians 6:14
The lead
flight attendant poked her head into the cockpit of a commercial airliner and
stated, "We have an H.R. (human remains) on board. “He was military,” she continued.
“Please board the escort early and
bring him the flight deck,” the Captain instructed.
The Captain thanked him for his
service to the families of dead heroes.
About 20 minutes into flight 871, the
lead attendant returned to the cockpit.
“The soldier’s father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter are also on
board,” she offered. “They were unable
to view his container before we left. Isn’t there anything we can do sir?” she
pleaded in desperation.
Two hours went by before the Captain
got confirmation from Ground Control with this message:
“Upon your arrival, a dedicated team
will meet the aircraft and escort the family to a private area to be with their
loved one before the final leg of his journey home.
Sir, most of us here in Flight Control
are veterans. Please pass our
condolences on to the family and thank them for his sacrifice for our freedom.
God Bless!”
The printed message was delivered to
the father. “You have no idea how much
this means to us,” he said modestly.
Upon touchdown, all ground traffic
stopped for flight 871; an escort team was positioned to meet the aircraft.
The Captain stopped the giant aircraft
well short of the gate for this announcement:
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a soldier on
board who deserves our respect. Private
Stanley recently gave his life for our country.
He is under your feet in the cargo hold, his coffin draped by an
American flag. Escorting him is Army
Sergeant Peacock, along with his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your
entire flight crew asks that you remain seated to allow the family to exit the
aircraft first, to greet their son. Thank you!”
They were just words, but nothing
could bring that soldier back. At the
gate, the Captain opened the cockpit door.
A multitude of tearful passengers were still in their seats, waiting for
the family’s exit.
As the family gathered their things, a
passenger slowly started to clap his hands.
More passengers quickly followed and soon the entire aircraft was
applauding. Words of “God Bless You! I'm so sorry!
Thank You!” and a plethora of kind words followed them as they made
their way down the aisle and out the airplane door.
Thank God for this Captain and crew. Thank God for the people placed in our lives
who set a powerful example of kindness, humility, and selflessness, and
especially for the soldiers living and deceased, who paid the price for our
liberty. Amen
