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Author Topic: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier  (Read 3763 times)

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Bagger

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Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« on: December 29, 2006, 11:22:50 AM »

Chicago Tribune
December 26, 2006
Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
On Dec. 3,  I was the co-pilot for American Airlines Flight 1904 flying from Chicago to Miami. We were informed at the gate that the remains of Master Sgt. Shawn Richardson would shortly be loaded on our flight for the trip to Miami. He was a 17-year veteran of the United States Air Force and had been killed in the service of our country.
I went down onto the ramp and found the long box appropriately stationed off to the side in a luggage cart. The curtains on the cart were pulled. It was my honor to spend a few moments in prayer with him.
The captain and I finished our preflight duties and then went back down onto the ramp and checked in with the crew chiefs to observe the loading of Master Sgt. Richardson. We departed almost an hour late due to our late arrival into Chicago. We called for push and it was immediately granted. Normally there's a wait. We called ground for taxi and again, immediately granted. Normally there's a wait. We were cleared onto the runway and for an immediate takeoff.
Passing through about 25,000, we were further cleared direct OMN (Ormand Beach), which is the first fix on the arrival into Miami. That's basically a thousand-mile straight line and the most direct clearance I've ever received to Miami. Not a word was ever said, but people were watching out for us.
The flight to and landing in Miami were uneventful, until we went to turn off the runway. The tower asked us to proceed a little farther down where an escort was waiting for us. We did as instructed and a Miami Dade Police cruiser met us on the taxiway. He escorted our American Airlines Boeing 757 to the D terminal. The entire north ramp had been cleared of all aircraft. I'd never seen that either.
As we approached the ramp, we noticed the lights. There were at least a half dozen fire trucks, no less than 15 police cars and countless other vehicles. They were all parked in rows with their lights flashing. As we taxied our aircraft to the gate, the fire trucks saluted our arrival with crossed streams of water shooting over the aircraft. My first seven years of service were in the Air Force Crash Fire Rescue Department. There is no higher salute from the fire department.
We parked the aircraft and shut down. After our checklists, Capt. Jeff Wallace and I went down to the ramp level and observed the unpacking of the casket, then the dressing with a flag. It was accepted by the bearer team, which was composed of members of the Miami Dade Police Department and Air Force Honor Guard. After the "Present arms" order (when all military and former military render salutes and civilians put their hands over their hearts) and the "order arms" order, when the salutes were finished, I noticed our jet. As I looked up from the ramp level, I saw a somber face in every window. Not one of our passengers had moved until our fallen soldier had departed the aircraft.
When the procession left the airport, there were two cruisers in front of the hearse and I have no idea how many behind. It was worthy of a presidential motorcade and a fitting and probably all-too-uncommon show of love and respect for one of our fallen. And in case I haven't mentioned this previously, it was 1:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning (we were almost two hours late). Our reception had probably been waiting for hours and I would bet that most of the people on our ramp were not on the clock.
I was so proud that night. Proud that my fellow citizens on every level worked to get Master Sgt. Richardson to his final repose.
Gary Blied, Pilot, American Airlines, Major, U.S. Air Force (retired), Bridgman, Mich.
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Jock

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2006, 10:12:13 PM »

Interesting...
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cuthbertss

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2006, 11:07:44 PM »

This is humbling....
I am honored that our people would show such respect for what has become such a "routine" item.

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Screamin

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2006, 10:39:39 AM »

Quote
This is humbling....
I am honored that our people would show such respect for what has become such a "routine" item.


Ditto :(
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Special_Ed

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2006, 11:02:37 PM »

Thanks for posting that piece Bagger.
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Cerdo

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2007, 09:44:23 PM »

Thanks for the post, it is a touching story. God bless all of our troops.
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Andy

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2007, 01:09:51 AM »

Yes THANKS for the post, It's nice to see that people still respect are fallen hero's
God bless them all.
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mr_magoo

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2007, 09:29:24 AM »

Very nice tribute and well deserved in my mind.  I have recently join the patriot gaurd to show respect for our men and woman in the service.
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HUBBARD

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2007, 02:15:45 PM »

Bagger,
  Thank you.  A reflection of "Unconditional Respect", by the "Greatest People", in the "Greatest Country", in the World.  I commend Major Gary Blied for his Service to this Great Country, and Master Sgt. Richardson, in giving the Ultimate Sacrafice, for my Freedom.  :'( Later--HUBBARD    
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skippy

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2007, 04:19:17 PM »

Hubbard I am with you on this one many thanks
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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2007, 03:08:50 PM »

This morning when I went to breakfast I saw 3 army soldiers eating too. My heart was filled with Joy to see them getting the respect they deserve. As I was eating breakfast, everyone that walked by stopped and said "Thanks" and some shared about family in Iraq. During the whole time they were eating they were being honored by the people and where smiling. To this day I could never understand why it wasn't like that for Vietnam Soldiers. I always gave them respect. Not just because I had family in the service at the time either. Anyway, I was proud to be an American and Proud for these men and their sacrifice. As I walked by the timing was perfect, the waitress laid down their checks. I shook all their hands and told them I was praying for them everyday. They were very thankful and said they greatly appreciated it. As I was picking up their checks they said "You don't have to do that" I replied " And You don't have to do what your doing, But I'm Thankful you are!" God Bless Our Soldiers and God Bless America!
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johnnymap

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2007, 07:16:10 PM »

AMEN
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Bagger

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2007, 10:19:30 PM »

Quote
This morning when I went to breakfast I saw 3 army soldiers eating too. My heart was filled with Joy to see them getting the respect they deserve. As I was eating breakfast, everyone that walked by stopped and said "Thanks" and some shared about family in Iraq. During the whole time they were eating they were being honored by the people and where smiling. To this day I could never understand why it wasn't like that for Vietnam Soldiers. I always gave them respect. Not just because I had family in the service at the time either. Anyway, I was proud to be an American and Proud for these men and their sacrifice. As I walked by the timing was perfect, the waitress laid down their checks. I shook all their hands and told them I was praying for them everyday. They were very thankful and said they greatly appreciated it. As I was picking up their checks they said "You don't have to do that" I replied " And You don't have to do what your doing, But I'm Thankful you are!" God Bless Our Soldiers and God Bless America!

JR,

Thank you for taking care of those Soldiers, Brother.  You are a Great American.  Please rest assured those troops are very thankful for your support alone, but picking up their tabs was a most generous and classy gesture.  I wish that every American could appreciate our Soldiers.  Our support of them means more than we'll ever know.  Thanks again.

Henry
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SEULTRA

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2007, 11:43:32 PM »

Quote
[highlight]To this day I could never understand why it wasn't like that for Vietnam Soldiers[/highlight].


It was a time of huge social unrest... not just about the war but about values, morality, racism, equality... you name it. It was a time when questioning authority became the mantra of a generation.
It troubled me as well because the service was no less sacrificial or selfless and the blood that was shed was just as red from all participants. That's why it's important to thank ALL vets for their service. Just my 2 cents.
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Miked

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Re: Paying Respect To A Fallen Soldier
« Reply #14 on: January 25, 2007, 08:39:49 AM »

Stories like that make me continue to be a police officer.  We always look to help friends in need, whether it be another cop, soldier, fireman, or emt.  Good story and thanks for sharing it with us.
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