A Flight Like No Other

As a part of a recent family vacation, I was on a flight from Philadelphia to Phoenix, and it was like no other flight I've ever been on in my life. Ever. 

We were notified at the beginning of the flight that we were carrying the body of a fallen United States Service member on the plane. When the announcement was made, there was the typical chatter you expect to hear on the ground while the aircraft was still at the gate. After that announcement was made, there was absolute and utter silence. I mean, literally - no one was speaking. 

After a few minutes, some quiet conversations began, the plane pushed back from the gate, the flight attendants did their safety briefing, and we were off to Phoenix. It was a perfectly normal flight, all the way through to our taxiing on the ground. As we approached the gate, the flight attendants reminded us again that a fallen service member was on the plane with us. Further, we were asked to allow the service member's family to exit the plane first. Again, silence on the plane. 

When we finally turned into the gate, what I saw out the window caused me to cry. On either side of the gate, military personnel, law enforcement vehicles and officers, two fire engines with large flags flying from their ladders. Every individual stood at attention, saluting our plane as we slowly inched forward to park. There was a hearse waiting to bring the service member to their family, as well as some individuals standing nearby. 

The silence was deafening, especially when the captain turned off the "fasten seat belt sign." Usually, we hear clicks as the plane approaches the gate. Folks are excited to grab their bags and ultimately wait until the door opens for deplaning. The familiar "ding" accompanied the light for seat belts going dark. Nothing. Not one person moved. Not one person spoke. Unknowingly, I was holding my own breath. I could not hear a sound. 

From behind me, I did hear some seat belts being taken off and some people walking toward the front of the plane. Four people, two in military dress uniform, exited the plane. Still utter silence. No one moved. No familiar clicks of seat belts coming off. No hustling to get overhead baggage. No jostling to get off the plane. 

I looked out the window to see the four people who had just exited the plane, embracing the people surrounding the hearse. All the law enforcement personnel and military personnel were still standing at attention, still saluting. I started to cry again. 

I was struck by the universality of the response to this situation. It wasn't about political parties, personal agendas, or points of view. It wasn't about whether you agreed with the current administration, masking or not, vaccines or boosters. It wasn't about anything other than the reality that someone who had chosen to serve our country in our armed forces lost their life. The solemnity and gravity of that loss of life was palpable and transcended the divisions we have created in our lives. Even if just for a few moments, on American Airlines, flight 478. 

I only wish we could find more ways to connect as humans that did not involve death. 

Footnote: Sincere thanks to the entire American Airlines flight crew for that day, as well as all my fellow passengers. As someone who has been blessed by family members who have served in the military and all returned home safely, I wish peace for the family of the fallen member of our armed forces. 

Photo courtesy of www.stock.adobe.com