Name: ______________________
1. Please read the story and mark it with your thoughts. Make sure you have shown what you are thinking as you
read.
2. Complete the paragraph summary on the back.
Flight turns unforgettable when passengers
learn of fallen soldier By John E. DiScala
Delta Flight 2255 from Atlanta to Los Angeles seemed to be an ordinary flight with the
exception of Candy, who was the most loving flight attendant I’ve ever encountered. Besides
using her Southern charm to quickly defuse every situation, she began her welcome
announcement by thanking the handful of uniformed soldiers on-board for serving our
country. Her poignant message was followed by applause, and it put into perspective that
none of us would be able to do what we do without these brave men and women.
But this transcontinental flight turned out to be everything but ordinary. We later learned,
when the captain got on the PA system about 45 minutes prior to landing, that we were
transporting a fallen soldier. The plane went quiet as he explained that there was a military
escort on-board and asked that everyone remain seated for a couple of minutes so the soldiers
could get off first. He also warned us not to be alarmed if we see fire trucks since Los Angeles
greets their fallen military with a water canon salute.
A few minutes after touchdown, we did indeed have a water canon salute, which I’d
previously only experienced on happy occasions like inaugural flights. This time, the water
glistening on the windowpanes looked like tears.
Passengers in the airport must have been worried when they saw our plane pull into gate 69A,
as we had a full police and fire escort, front and back.
I was on the left side of the plane and later realized that the family could be seen off to the
right, standing with the United States Army Honor Guard. According to Wikipedia, each
military branch has its own honor guard, usually military in nature, and is composed of
volunteers who are carefully screened. One of the primary roles for honor guards is to provide
funeral honors for fallen comrades.
When the jet door opened, another military officer addressed the escort who was standing at
attention. He then stepped on the plane and told us passengers “I just addressed the escort. It
is a sworn oath to bring home, to the family, the fallen.” He paused and then said, “Today you
all did that, you are all escorts, escorts of the heart.” And then thanked us for our time and
walked off the plane.
As you can imagine, everyone was silent and no one got up. I’m sure most had meteor-sized
lumps in their throats and tears in their eyes like I did.
It only got more emotional when I deplaned. There was a large number of passengers, who
are normally in a hurry to get home or make a connection, standing by the window to witness
something truly moving. To see the Honor Guard and family waiting patiently, while LAX
baggage handlers and a military loadmaster removed the flag covered casket first from the
cargo hold, was humbling to say the least. I’m not sure if it was the fallen soldier’s mother or
Name: ______________________
1. Please read the story and mark it with your thoughts. Make sure you have shown what you are thinking as you
read.
2. Complete the paragraph summary on the back.
wife who I watched slowly walk up to the coffin while a few other family members, wrapped
in blankets, stood near with a dozen or so of the Honor Guards standing in salute.
As soon as I saw her reach out to put her hand on her baby’s casket, I walked away.
This ordinary flight became extraordinary and is one that I will never forget.
Thank you to all the military who protect our beautiful country and let us live the lives we are
able to lead. Without you we would be nothing. And thank you to the Honor Guard for
making sure these fallen soldiers, warriors and heroes are not treated like just any piece of
luggage as they used to, but rather with the care and respect they so rightly deserve..
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