PDX Funeral Detail May 12th
May 13, 2015, 12:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 14
PDX Funeral Detail May 12th
We had just landed on flt834 from HNL on 5/12, when we saw emergency crews with their lights flashing near the terminal. Wasn't sure what it was..perhaps a training exercise? Was quite surprised/puzzled when we parked right next to them. The lady next to me figured out it was a funeral detail meeting the plane. It then made sense...I had seen a Sgt in a formal uniform shaking our pilots hand before we had loaded in HNL...he was probably the escort.
I'm in my 60's but, like so many, had never witnessed this before...Several of us just off the plane solemnly watched from inside the terminal as they unloaded the casket. Having just visited Pearl Harbor this was especially meaningful,seeing this. Someone later said it was a Korean vet. I found out it was a 17yr old soldier, Cpl. Ben L. Brown or Oregon, who died within a few weeks of being deployed and had been identified thru DNA a month or so ago. And he was from one county over in Oregon from where I grew up. Puts whatever concerns or whining we do on this blog in perspective. Welcome home soldier.
I'm in my 60's but, like so many, had never witnessed this before...Several of us just off the plane solemnly watched from inside the terminal as they unloaded the casket. Having just visited Pearl Harbor this was especially meaningful,seeing this. Someone later said it was a Korean vet. I found out it was a 17yr old soldier, Cpl. Ben L. Brown or Oregon, who died within a few weeks of being deployed and had been identified thru DNA a month or so ago. And he was from one county over in Oregon from where I grew up. Puts whatever concerns or whining we do on this blog in perspective. Welcome home soldier.
May 13, 2015, 4:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: GEG
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC, Delta Silver
Posts: 475
I've always heard about these, but it wasn't until 2 months ago when after landing in PHX, that I saw a crowd gathered in the terminal next to a UA gate. Similar setup, with emergency vehicles meeting the plane. Words can't really describe the experience for me, but it was nice to see everyone pause for a second and pay a moment of respect to the unknown (to me) soldier. Probably the quietest I've ever heard a boarding area.
May 14, 2015, 12:26 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,842
I remember watching this movie on HBO in a hotel during one of trips. I usually don't watch much TV on the road, but this was worthwhile the time.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taking_Chance
Amazon Prime has it.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taking_Chance
Amazon Prime has it.
May 14, 2015, 1:03 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: GYD
Programs: Azerbaijan Airlines Gold, Turkish Miles and Smiles, IHG Plat
Posts: 663
We had just landed on flt834 from HNL on 5/12, when we saw emergency crews with their lights flashing near the terminal. Wasn't sure what it was..perhaps a training exercise? Was quite surprised/puzzled when we parked right next to them. The lady next to me figured out it was a funeral detail meeting the plane. It then made sense...I had seen a Sgt in a formal uniform shaking our pilots hand before we had loaded in HNL...he was probably the escort.
I'm in my 60's but, like so many, had never witnessed this before...Several of us just off the plane solemnly watched from inside the terminal as they unloaded the casket. Having just visited Pearl Harbor this was especially meaningful,seeing this. Someone later said it was a Korean vet. I found out it was a 17yr old soldier, Cpl. Ben L. Brown or Oregon, who died within a few weeks of being deployed and had been identified thru DNA a month or so ago. And he was from one county over in Oregon from where I grew up. Puts whatever concerns or whining we do on this blog in perspective. Welcome home soldier.
I'm in my 60's but, like so many, had never witnessed this before...Several of us just off the plane solemnly watched from inside the terminal as they unloaded the casket. Having just visited Pearl Harbor this was especially meaningful,seeing this. Someone later said it was a Korean vet. I found out it was a 17yr old soldier, Cpl. Ben L. Brown or Oregon, who died within a few weeks of being deployed and had been identified thru DNA a month or so ago. And he was from one county over in Oregon from where I grew up. Puts whatever concerns or whining we do on this blog in perspective. Welcome home soldier.
I couldn't agree with you more. This whole site seems to be full of those with nothing more important to worry about than "How much compensation" etc. Things like this do put our daily moans into perspective.