Some comments merit a post all to their own. July 4th we asked those reading the blog to tell us what July 4th means to them in the comments section. Sandra Hudson wrote a special tribute to a fallen Airmen she shared a special plane ride home with just days prior. Please read it and take another moment to say thank you to these brave men and women, and their families.
I heard the news while sitting at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. It seems the saga of Michael Jackson’s death will be with us for a long time. And while I have been both a fan early-on and a skeptic in recent years, amid the unfolding drama I feel indifferent to the news.
That sentiment was predicated by events three days earlier at another airport.
Arriving at Atlanta’s Hartsfield International, with more than two hours between flights, I am in no hurry to grab my bags and dash through the cabin.
Movement outside my window seat catches my eye.
Stoic and in full dress uniform, an Army Staff Sergeant marches toward the baggage handler. My heart drops. This is a Hero Flight.
Seated directly above the conveyor belt, I watch the long, cardboard-covered box drift slowly from the aircraft belly. The NCO, bearing his own purple heart, vigilantly renders honors.
It’s the only motion I can see on the silenced tarmac of one of the busiest airports in the world.
Embedded in my mind’s eye forever, a flag detail hovers while a crew slides the box into a special carrier.
As the Soldier signs papers and receives final instructions, the cart pulls away. The flight line returns to its harried pace.
That day, an Air Force Staff Sergeant made his final journey back home, to North Dakota. I know this because I could see his rank and destination written on the box.
This Fourth of July, in the nation’s heartland, a family mourns the loss of a son.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, a fledgling country continues taking steps closer to the Independence he helped enforce.
And here in Savannah, between the hot dogs and fireworks, I’ll take a few moments to remember the unknown Airman, now a celebrity in my heart.
Lt. Gen. Jim Lovelace, U.S. Army Central commanding general, addresses the crowd of service members, civilians, coalition forces troops as well as Kuwaiti soldiers during a Memorial Day observance at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, May 26. More than 4,000 service members are pictured on the wall behind Lovelace which commemorates the sacrifices of those who have fallen during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
As I look back at the two weeks coverage of Pop-music idol Michael Jackson’s passing by every form of news media and very little if any mention of our men and women in uniform as the country celebrated Independence Day I solemnly wondered how the “market value” of one can out weigh that of the thousands that gave all.
Thank You to the 101st AirBorne and all of our men and women in uniform.
This is quite a touching story. My heart goes out to all the families that have lost a son, brother, father, daughter, sister, mother, etc. God bless all of our troops. May those that have paid the ultimate sacrafice rest in peace.
@eric
I know how you feel. I was looking at the Fox News website this morning and there is a story about how a family is upset because their son died the same day as Jackson, but didn’t receive any coverage. It’s the same story for many me and women that die every day. It’s a sad state of affairs when our men and women that sacrifice their lives for this country don’t get the recognition they deserve from the country they love. Jackson has gotten way too much coverage and our soldiers never get much of any coverage.
Thank you for posting this real story of what 1 man has done for his Country. Now this is someone I can admire for what he has done for me and the freedoms I have. This man should have millions at his funeral with tears of gratitude & tears of sorrow to think 1 so Great could have died so young and he did so for me and for you. Instead I sit here alone and wipe my silent tears from my eyes -as I from my heart say THANK YOU Staff Sgt (?) I love you & thank you so much. God Bless your family & God Bless the America you died for.
Love, Reeni T