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Flying a fallen Hero for Memorial Day
Captain Aux details his experience transporting a fallen US soldier home. (www.nycaviation.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Being retired as Director of flight ops but still very active and current, my old boss called me one day, just before Easter a year ago, with a request to do an ANGEL FLIGHT between FSM and Dover AFB,DE. He had volunteered our 767 to a prominent local family. The Son used to work for me part time, had gone on to USAF Academy and became a helicopter pilot. He lost his life in Afghanistan and was now coming home. The family had requested me to fly. At that time, the 188th TFW was based at FSM with the A-10's. ATC gave us direct both ways, and as we were coming in, a flight of Hogs picked us up over North AR. As we set up on descent for approach, they came over the top of us in missing man formation. It got real hard to see the runway. Only ANGEL FLIGHT I ever did but one I'll never forget.
Wow, that is an amazing story. Thanks for sharing.
I respect Captain Aux and all the guys that do the Angel Flights. The military will bring them home with honor guard all the way. For some of us it is a once in a lifetime experience, some do it on a regular basis. This Memorial day and the rest of the year, my hat is off to all our vets, past and present. I did my time but I was fortunate enough to come home and have a full life. Others did not and this coming day is one small token of remembrance. May they all R.I.P.
We should NEVER forget that these young men and women have volunteered to put their lives on the line to ensure security to their friends and neighbors. Preacher: I know what you were feeling. I was part of a firing squad for the funeral of one of my fellow paratroopers when I was in the 82nd and when Taps was played afterwards........It was an honor to serve and it's only right to honor those who carry the colors in this generation. Happy Memorial Day from your friendly neighborhood Rigger. :-)
Amen!
I witnessed a similar event during the Vietnam War. On an airline flight out of Kansas City (I don't remember the airline) to Denver. During a stop in Wichita the captain asked us to keep our seats while the casket was removed from the cargo hold. I was on the right side and saw a flag draped box unloaded. There was no mention that it was a soldier, but everyone on that side knew what it was. It was a somber moment that I have never forgotten. That unknown soldier was on my mind, and most likely others, all the rest of the flight.