A Memorial Day

WE IN DELTA AIR LINES' Original Honor Guard had the easiest part in this scenario, for we were alive and whole. We had no battle on foreign soil to decide whether we lived or died. We gathered with flags and stood quietly at attention. The flight deck crew joined us in solidarity. As the guard chaplain, I met the escort in the jetway and advised that some fellow veterans would join him at the plane side for the funeral. With the coffin staged at the mouth of the aircraft belly, I led us in prayer for the fallen, his family, and the escort—whose sad duty would be to bring the Airman (in this case) home. Hundreds of stories we watched unfold were always challenging to hear, though they were also filled with the best of what America is. These warriors lived and died by the creed, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Often, an escort was overcome with emotion at the sight of being surrounded by comrades who cared. Brothers and sisters they’d never met, but they could rest a moment as they stood at “LZ Friendly.” All of us cried later—when we were alone. Some of the funerals took a profound toll on the guard members. For example, the “coffin” that weighed 2 lbs— a wooden cube measuring eight inches with a soldier’s remains. We saluted silently, but I trembled as I lifted the precious cargo off the belt loader and placed it in the cart. I shook through the remainder of my shift. I was numb driving home that night. But, free. The Master Sergeant, through a broken voice, softly said, “This is all they could find of him,” followed by, “Could you guys point me in the direction of the nearest bar?” One of the vets took him and paid. The inscription on the cart where we placed the remains read, “All gave some; some gave all.” The ones we handled indeed gave all they had. On Memorial Day, please remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives to defend our Freedom. They’re gone. But they deserve to be remembered respectfully. I appeal to you to take a moment this Monday and do as God asks, “Give to everyone what you owe them . . . if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor”.

~ The Original Delta Honor Guard

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