Originally Posted by Schwanker

I've had the honor to bring a fallen soldier home to their final resting place twice (AF jet). Once was to Saipan. Getting ready to check in on the local VHF freq about a 100 miles out and heard them issuing holding instructions to a NWA744, then another aircraft who was #4 in line. I was wondering what was up, until I checked in--"you're #1, call field in site." they had the fire trucks out with the H2O salute on taxi in. Every vehicle on the island with a flashing light had to have been on the ramp. Family was waiting right behind the honor guard. Everyone on the jet was choked up. It really puts our petty gripes in perspective.