It was to be yet another, typical flight to yet another US city – or that’s what I thought. I boarded my flight in Denver on a late-afternoon flight. It was a small jet – the kind with just two rows of first class, then a thin fabric wall before the coach rows began. No, I wasn’t in first class, but I was in the first row of coach – so I justified that it almost counted! I was on the aisle, so I could easily see and hear the chit-chat between the flight attendant and the first class passengers – what beverage would they like, would they like a pillow, etc. The flight was full, and nearly everyone had boarded when a very young airman boarded. He looked so handsome in his dress uniform – very sharp and formal. Almost immediately, the gentleman in first class seated just in front of me, stood up and, out of respect, offered his seat to the young airman. The young airman humbly accepted the gracious offer. Out of respect, the gentleman the airman’s assigned seat in the back of the plane, so this young airman could sit in first class. Out of respect – it took my breath away! How gracious, how respectful!
The flight was as normal as the corn fields we flew over that afternoon, until we were preparing to land. The pilot (Captain Betsy, I might add) announced that we would soon be landing and then added, “Out of respect, I would ask that everyone stay in your seats until our special airman has deplaned first.” Now, that announcement is not unusual – I’m sure you’ve been on flights with soldiers who are returning home and the pilot asks that they be given the opportunity to de-plane first. So when we landed, everyone remained seated while the young airman stood to deplane. I noticed the flight attendant help him retrieve his garment bag from the front closet and then as they waited for the plane door to be opened, the flight attendant lightly touched his upper arm in a “sisterly” encouraging way. I noticed it wasn’t a hearty slap to his bicep like you would expect, but more of a gentle tapping. That’s unusual, I thought. I also wondered why there wasn’t appreciative applause from the crew and passengers like I’ve seen before? No, the airman was out the door so quickly – it just felt different this time. Then I looked at the flight attendant – her eyes looked tear-filled. No, this wasn’t a usual flight at all. Just then, Captain Betsy announced to the rest of the passengers, “We have another special young airman who was also flying with us today. Out of respect, I would ask that you remain in your seats until he has de-planed. If you look out the right side of the plane, you will see the honor guard and family here to honor and receive him.” Oh, my heart sank as I understood. Out of respect, 93 passengers sat in absolute silence. Not even the babies who had serenaded us all the way from Denver made a sound. Out of respect, 93 passengers sat silently on a stuffy airplane for 20 minutes while the airman from first class joined the honor guard on the tarmac to pay final respects to his best friend with whom he had served, killed in battle a few days earlier in Afghanistan. He would have been 21 years old that very day. He was coming to home to his family for the last time. His parents had asked that the airman who had flown in first class be the one to accompany their son’s body home. Tears fell from more than just the flight attendant’s eyes as we waited silently on the plane. Once the honor guard had received the airman, and the hearse departed, Captain Betsy rang the de-plane bell and said, “Thank you. These are always difficult flights. Out of respect I would ask that you deplane quietly.” Out of respect, we all did. It was the very least we could do for one who gave his very young life for us.
When I got to the rental car counter, eyes still moist, lump still firmly in my throat, the attendant cheerily asked, “How was your flight?” Indeed. Out of respect, I smiled and softly answered, “It was fine.”
May God bless this airman, and all who serve so courageously and sacrificially.
“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart … For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:4, 11
