Copied from the Business and Politics Forum.

Two heroes return to their West Texas home. Please Lord, comfort and console their family and friends in this time of grief. And convey to them the thoughts and prayers of a grateful nation who shares their sorrow.

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Topic: Sailor escorts fallen brothers body to DFW / Big Spring on 28 Dec

b.blauser
posted 7:04a, 1/6/2007



Just received this email from a trusted source:
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Moving on... The following was written by my friend and former squadron mate Stormin' Norman Miller. Norm is now a captain with American Airlines based out of DFW. A fitting tribute that I would expect someone like Norm to write...


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Yesterday, 28 December 2006 I was a pilot on an airline flight from Philadelphia to DFW . I noticed a young US Navy sailor standing near the door of the jet bridge in his uniform. I said Hi and asked him what ship he was with. He proudly told me the USS Roosevelt. A few minutes later I was told by the gate agent that he was a body escort. When I was in the USMC I also was a body escort once for a squadron mate. It is an honor that really cannot be explained. I went over to him again and said “Body escort?” and he told me it was his brother. I just said “Iraq.” He nodded and said “U.S. Army.” It's been many years since I felt such a shock. Here was a 19-year old member of our military taking his bother home. He stood there for 10 minutes tall in his uniform, very proud of his present position in life. Later we went down to the tarmac and the casket arrived and he stood by his brother as he was raised into the aircraft. He held a salute until the casket was in the cargo hull and slowly lowered the salute. We went up to the passenger area and was seated. I flew the aircraft to DFW. When we taxied in we could see the motorcade there to pick two brothers up for the journey to Big Spring. Once again the younger brother proceeded to the now open cargo compartment and saluted as the casket was lowered from the aircraft. I stood about 100 feet away and watched a lone 19-year old member of our armed forces watch and supervise this trip in a calm professional manner. Seeing this reminds me of our young men overseas and the incredible job they are doing. Airline employees are particularly sensitive to the sacrifices of our youth after the attacks of 9/11 into our workplace.

Every time I fly over Big Spring, Texas (the rest of my career) I will remember the brave young Sailor taking his brother home. God bless both RJ and Jonathan and their family during this tough time.
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