Report by “Johnny Jet” at travel.yahoo.com (bold added by CtH, blogging through tears):
Delta Flight 2255 from Atlanta to Los Angeles seemed to be an ordinary flight with the exception of Candy, who was the most loving flight attendant I’ve ever encountered. Besides using her Southern charm to quickly defuse every situation, she began her welcome announcement by thanking the handful of uniformed soldiers on-board for serving our country. Her poignant message was followed by applause, and it put into perspective that none of us would be able to do what we do without these brave men and women.
But this transcontinental flight turned out to be everything but ordinary. We later learned, when the captain got on the PA system about 45 minutes prior to landing, that we were transporting a fallen soldier. The plane went quiet as he explained that there was a military escort on-board and asked that everyone remain seated for a couple of minutes so the soldiers could get off first. He also warned us not to be alarmed if we see fire trucks since Los Angeles greets their fallen military with a water canon salute. See my video below.
A few minutes after touchdown, we did indeed have a water canon salute, which I’d previously only experienced on happy occasions like inaugural flights. This time, the water glistening on the windowpanes looked like tears.
I was on the left side of the plane and later realized that the family could be seen off to the right, standing with the United States Army Honor Guard. According to Wikipedia, each military branch has its own honor guard, usually military in nature, and is composed of volunteers who are carefully screened. One of the primary roles for honor guards is to provide funeral honors for fallen comrades.
Fallen Soldier on My Delta Flight [:41]
When the jet door opened, another military officer addressed the escort who was standing at attention. He then stepped on the plane and told us passengers “I just addressed the escort. It is a sworn oath to bring home, to the family, the fallen.” He paused and then said, “Today you all did that, you are all escorts, escorts of the heart.” And then thanked us for our time and walked off the plane.
It only got more emotional when I deplaned. There was a large number of passengers, who are normally in a hurry to get home or make a connection, standing by the window to witness something truly moving. To see the Honor Guard and family waiting patiently, while LAX baggage handlers and a military loadmaster removed the flag covered casket first from the cargo hold, was humbling to say the least. I’m not sure if it was the fallen soldier’s mother or wife who I watched slowly walk up to the coffin while a few other family members, wrapped in blankets, stood near with a dozen or so of the Honor Guards standing in salute.
As soon as I saw her reach out to put her hand on her baby’s casket, I walked away.
This ordinary flight became extraordinary and is one that I will never forget.
Thank you to all the military who protect our beautiful country and let us live the lives we are able to lead. Without you we would be nothing. And thank you to the Honor Guard for making sure these fallen soldiers, warriors and heroes are not treated like just any piece of luggage as they used to, but rather with the care and respect they so rightly deserve.
Source:
polination.blog 
In 1428, this 17 year old young WOMAN led a French army in numerous successful battles against the British army, helping to save France from being taken over by the British.
After doing this for one year, she was captured and sold to the British. When tried, she declared that she was following God’s orders to serve her country. After refusing to change this statement, she was burned at the stake. She was only 19.
A young woman who marched fearlessly into battle and stood by her beliefs to the death. To me she is a hero. To the Catholic Church she is known as St Joan of Arc.
Today, in honor of All Saints Day, I would like to pay a special tribute to this amazing woman.
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Amen to that. And let me recommend one of the best researched books out there about Jeanne d’ Arc, which is the one that Mark Twain wrote. He spent 7 years with his wife in France, studying the National Archives before writing it. He was neither Catholic, nor particularly religious, but the details of young Jeanne’s life fascinated him, particularly how well documented every part of it was. This was no legend. Her court statements were a matter of official public record. Later, Twain (Clemens) stated that it was his favorite work, out of all he’d written. More dear than Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn.
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But one thing still bothers me about St. Joan. The RCC still lists her as “Saint and Virgin,” but not martyr, as far as I know. That’s a travesty. If anyone should be honored as a martyr, it’s her. I suppose it was a technicality that she was tried by an ecclesiastical court, but it was a politically driven sham court. She was burned for her faith by apostates, even if they were wearing vestments. She deserves to be a martyr. If it’s true that she’s not, then it is only because of clerical pride.
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You’re right. Thankfully, God knows.
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Thanks, Grunt! I had no idea. My library didn’t have it, but I found a Dover edition plus a graphic novel done with Twain’s text at Amazon, together less than $15. Can’t wait!!
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YW! If you don’t want to pay for that, I can send you mine, but it might have to be a loan. That one is a keeper. 😉
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