SilverSteel

I wanted to share a very moving experience I had today while returning from a trip to Philadelphia. As our flight approached DFW, the flight attendent came on the overhead and asked we all keep our seats for a few moments once we landed.

We had a fallen soldier, Sgt. Williams of Oklahoma, onboard. He had received SIX Purple Hearts and THREE Bronze Stars and was being considered for the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was coming home to be put to rest. His brother was onboard and they requested we wait while the officers met him at the door of the plane to escort him to the tarmac to greet his brother as he was removed from the belly of the plane.

I've traveled for fifteen year and never have I seen so many people be so respectful. I was so touched I almost cried. We all watched as he left the plane and went down to the tarmac. Nobody said a word, nobody was on their cell phone, nobody moved. It was incredible. The men stepped inside the plane and gently removed his coffin, put it on the belt, drapped it with a flag, then proceeded to move the coffin down the conveyor. The officers carefully loaded it into a waiting vehicle. Some of the gentler souls onboard began to cry. I have never been so moved by so many people in my life. This was a large AA plane with over 165 people on-board and no one moved or said a word.

I sat in my seat feeling guilty and spoiled. I travel, stay in nice hotels, eat at nice restaurants and come home to my loving family to celebrate my birthday today. These heroes are fighting an unpopular, yet necessary war, and they're coming back dead. I'm sure some of you have experienced this and it is a very, very moving experience and it makes the war very real. I am now a proponent of using large weapons and heavy bombs. Whatever it takes to minimize the number of American casualties. Al queda has asked for more American bodies. I pray for those men and their families every night.

God bless them and Sgt. Williams of Oklahoma for his heroics and his sacrafice so that we may live in a safer world.

dstrimbu

Wow. That is amazing, Steel. Thanks for sharing.

Happy Birthday, man.

Eric - Plug Guy

Sad, but moving story. Thanks for letting us in on that experience. And thanks for all those in service so we can enjoy the freedoms we have.

The B

Excellent post, thank you.

clubrcr

Thanks for sharing,....

It is because those soliders fighting for our safety, that I can stay home and be with my family. God Bless all of the soliders, their families and friends for making such a huge sacrifice

JohnnyBahamas

+1

Thanks and praise Sgt. Williams... and all those who stood with you.

From many, one.

Fly the flag. Give them year round recognition.

jpcourt

A very moving story, A true American hero who made the ultimate sacrifice!

flash1034

Thanks for the post. God Bless America and her fine soldiers...

Raptor

Thank you very much.

ELUSIVE

Silversteel -
Most often (in my experience) we see a complete lack of dis-respect. It was great to read your story. Thanks so much for sharing with us.

Crazy Canuck

+2 God bless all the soldiers from all the nations unified in the fight against al queda and terror.

Happy Birthday.

Rick's 993

Thanks for taking the time to post and bless all the men and women serving our country.

THPorsche

Thanks for sharing!

Happy Birthday! Today is my daughter's birthday also, she turns two.

mdrums

That is a sad and moving story but in the last few month I have received email of this very same story from quite a few people.

pongobaz

Thanks for sharing that story. It's my birthday today also and this helps put things in perspective. Let's be grateful for all the freedoms we enjoy thanks to the sacrifices of so many.