Specialized
Member
This isn't strictly gun-related, but I believe it's important and I ask our moderators' patience and forgiveness in allowing it to remain here. I don't know of a more appropriate forum to put it in.
I just returned home to Chicago tonight from a business trip. I joined the flight, United flight 563, in Philadelphia, as did a heavily decorated Army Master Sergeant by the name of Sanford. Just after the plane was closed up, right before pushing back from the gate, one of the pilots who had been talking to MSgt. Sanford in the boarding area addressed the passengers over the PA. He related the purpose of the Memorial Day holiday as a time of reflection and tribute to those veterans who had given their lives in the service of our country, and related that the holiday had special meaning to him as a veteran who had served alongside some of those who died, and asked that we say thanks to MSgt. Sanford for his distinguished service during two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. This elicited enthusiastic but respectful applause from the cabin, which was completely full. The pilot then continued on to say that MSgt. Sanford was on one of the most sacred missions any soldier could ever accept: he was escorting home the body of one of his comrades.
I doubt you could find 196 people in such close quarters that could get as quiet as we were on that plane. There was a reverent silence on board as everyone realized we were in the presence of one of our country's fallen soldiers. It was a somber and reflective two hours for all of us. When we arrived at O'Hare airport, MSgt. Sanford was led down the jetway stairs to the starboard cargo hold door. We watched through the window as he helped load the casket onto a specially-designed cart, boarded the tug pulling it, and was driven away.
Sergeant Lonnie C. Allen Jr., 26, of Bellevue, Nebraska, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.; died May 18 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Baghdad. Also killed were Lt. Col. Daniel E. Holland, 1st. Lt. Robert A. Seidel III and Pfc. Nicholas R. Cournoyer.
Sgt. Allen is no more, and no less, important than any other soldier that has given his life for our country. His name strikes more of a chord with me only because I spent a small amount of time with him today on his final journey home. Somewhere in Bellevue, NE tonight he has been reunited with his family, including his wife of three months, and the meaning and memories of Memorial Day have changed for them forever. They are in my prayers tonight, along with the families and loved ones of all of our war dead, in a way somehow more urgent than before. Please consider adding them to your thoughts and prayers this weekend as well.
I just returned home to Chicago tonight from a business trip. I joined the flight, United flight 563, in Philadelphia, as did a heavily decorated Army Master Sergeant by the name of Sanford. Just after the plane was closed up, right before pushing back from the gate, one of the pilots who had been talking to MSgt. Sanford in the boarding area addressed the passengers over the PA. He related the purpose of the Memorial Day holiday as a time of reflection and tribute to those veterans who had given their lives in the service of our country, and related that the holiday had special meaning to him as a veteran who had served alongside some of those who died, and asked that we say thanks to MSgt. Sanford for his distinguished service during two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. This elicited enthusiastic but respectful applause from the cabin, which was completely full. The pilot then continued on to say that MSgt. Sanford was on one of the most sacred missions any soldier could ever accept: he was escorting home the body of one of his comrades.
I doubt you could find 196 people in such close quarters that could get as quiet as we were on that plane. There was a reverent silence on board as everyone realized we were in the presence of one of our country's fallen soldiers. It was a somber and reflective two hours for all of us. When we arrived at O'Hare airport, MSgt. Sanford was led down the jetway stairs to the starboard cargo hold door. We watched through the window as he helped load the casket onto a specially-designed cart, boarded the tug pulling it, and was driven away.
Sergeant Lonnie C. Allen Jr., 26, of Bellevue, Nebraska, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.; died May 18 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Baghdad. Also killed were Lt. Col. Daniel E. Holland, 1st. Lt. Robert A. Seidel III and Pfc. Nicholas R. Cournoyer.
Sgt. Allen is no more, and no less, important than any other soldier that has given his life for our country. His name strikes more of a chord with me only because I spent a small amount of time with him today on his final journey home. Somewhere in Bellevue, NE tonight he has been reunited with his family, including his wife of three months, and the meaning and memories of Memorial Day have changed for them forever. They are in my prayers tonight, along with the families and loved ones of all of our war dead, in a way somehow more urgent than before. Please consider adding them to your thoughts and prayers this weekend as well.
