Battlefield's 'Doc' now in a nation's care

[Terri]

By Jim Sheeler, Rocky Mountain News
December 15, 2006

The skinny sailor sat in the Philadelphia airport terminal in his deep-blue dress uniform, cracking his knuckles, shifting in his seat, waiting for his best friend.

A woman from the airline walked over and motioned for him to follow. She saw the nervous look on the sailor's face and stopped.

"Wait," she said. "Is this your first time doing this?"

"Yes, ma'am," the 22 year-old said, his voice cracking.

"Well, unfortunately, it's not the first time for me," she said. "Not even the first time this week."

More (http://insidedenver.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_52164 57,00.html)

We've heard so much about how our heroes come home. This answer all those questions. There are a lot of very good Americans involved.

I would just add that if you have a choice, Fly United! :salute1:

[Charie]

A very touching story and thanks to the air and ground crews of United for their compassion.

The caskets being put inside cardboard carriers must be why that family was so upset about their son coming home in a "cardboard box" all alone.

I saw that story in the newspaper and on line but never saw it explained. I knew that there was always someone with the body but wasn't sure about the "cardboard box".

It's too bad everyone doesn't know what care the military takes of their fallen heroes.

[billybigrigger]

And tears came to my eyes as almost always when I read or hear about one of our fallen hero's.

[Luckyme]

This past fall, the same thing happened in the next town to ours. The highway was lined from the airport to his hometown. The town streets were closed (temporarily) on the route from the highway, with a detour past his home one last time, and then to the funeral home.

There was a large article in the paper about our fallen hero and people were told if they wanted to come out and honor him, the time and route to do so. The entire route was lined with people.

Living in a state where the majority are against the war, I was surprised, but very pleased with the turnout of people to honor him. Maybe even the anti war activists, of which there are many here, have learned something from the way the Vietnam Vets were treated upon their return home.

[Speedway]

I couldn't read the whole thing because the emotion was overwhelming.

Excellent reporting job.

This is the kind of respect our servicemen deserve.

[lpara]

So touching--I'm so glad to have read it to renew my fervor of prayer for our precious troops. Heroes, all of them.

Also, thanks to United for their compassion and I was delighted to see most of the passengers were supportive also. :twothumbsup: