My dad has was in Washington DC the last couple of days for work, his flight back to Kansas City came in last night. I had to go pick him up at KCI (Kansas City International Airport) which is about 30-40 minutes from my house. Got up there, his plane was late as usual. 10 minutes later, I see his plane approaching the gate when it stops short of the gate and a black Hearse with American Flag's mounted on the corners front bumper pulls up beside the plane. Don't know the technical term for them, but one of those trucks with the stairs pulls up to this side of the plane where a uniformed Marine then steps off and down the stairs. As soon as he got his boots on the tarmac, he turned and saluted the side of the plane. My view was blocked by the stair truck so I moved down a little ways, when I saw that he was saluting a casket. The casket was taken from the plane to the Hearse all with the Marine at full attention and saluting. The Marine then stepped into the passenger's side of the Hearse which then drove off out of view. The plane then pulled up to the gate and let all the passengers off.
When my dad stepped off the plane I asked him if anyone said anything on the plane about stopping short of the gate since the flight was already delayed. He said that he got to sit next to the Marine for the flight. The Marine refused to take an upgraded seat in first class. He and my dad sat next to each other in coach where they talked almost the entire flight. Immediately my dad noticed the folded flag that the Marine never took out of his hand. My dad didn't put two and two together, and just asked the Marine if he was headed home. The Marine replied that he was escorting a fallen comrade, that was killed in Iraq, home to his family. My dad thanked the Marine for his service and for everything he has sacrificed for our country. They then talked about different things from sports to family for the rest of the flight.
My dad said shortly after the plane landed at KCI and as soon as the plane pulled onto the taxiway, the Pilot announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Martens of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Martens to deplane and receive his fellow marine. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
My dad said the everyone sat there and just watched, a few teared up and one or two broke down crying, as Sergeant Martens walked down the aisle and exited the plane and then continued on his way to take his fellow soldier home.
It was one of those sights that sends chills down your spine realizing how important of an event I had just witnessed. My dad said he had never met such a nice guy and had never been on a flight that was dead quiet even after Sergeant Martens was out of sight.
Just thought I would share.
When my dad stepped off the plane I asked him if anyone said anything on the plane about stopping short of the gate since the flight was already delayed. He said that he got to sit next to the Marine for the flight. The Marine refused to take an upgraded seat in first class. He and my dad sat next to each other in coach where they talked almost the entire flight. Immediately my dad noticed the folded flag that the Marine never took out of his hand. My dad didn't put two and two together, and just asked the Marine if he was headed home. The Marine replied that he was escorting a fallen comrade, that was killed in Iraq, home to his family. My dad thanked the Marine for his service and for everything he has sacrificed for our country. They then talked about different things from sports to family for the rest of the flight.
My dad said shortly after the plane landed at KCI and as soon as the plane pulled onto the taxiway, the Pilot announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Martens of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Martens to deplane and receive his fellow marine. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
My dad said the everyone sat there and just watched, a few teared up and one or two broke down crying, as Sergeant Martens walked down the aisle and exited the plane and then continued on his way to take his fellow soldier home.
It was one of those sights that sends chills down your spine realizing how important of an event I had just witnessed. My dad said he had never met such a nice guy and had never been on a flight that was dead quiet even after Sergeant Martens was out of sight.
Just thought I would share.
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