I received this email today after attending the ceremony at San Antonio yesterday. Wish I had written it!
Date: Friday, March 27, 2009, 3:10 AM
This afternoon at the FedEx ramp in San Antonio, the remains of First Officer Tony Pino, killed in the crash of a FedEx MD-11 at Tokyo, Narita last Sunday, were recovered from FedEx flight 379.
The bereaved family members were brought onto the ramp in vehicles along with the hearse. There was assembled a company of FedEx pilots in full uniform, and a cadre of United States Air Force Reserve officers in full uniform acting as honor guard. These groups numbered about 30 and 20 respectively. Each is an active pilot with FedEx Express. Additionally, there were about one hundred FedEx off-duty employees and guests and a host of pilots from other airlines (including UPS) also in full uniform. The FedEx Express aircraft ramp team marshaled the aircraft into the gate following a picture-perfect landing on runway 21, adjacent to the ramp, which had been requested by ramp personnel and graciously orchestrated by ATC as a non-standard arrival.
The remains, draped with the American Flag, were moved off of the MD-10 aircraft smartly and perfectly via the three-story tall FMC Main Deck Loader. The subsequent proceedings ensued flawlessly with military precision. The transfer box containing the body was secured by the Air Force honor guard and slowly and deliberately removed from the loader, stepped down to the ramp and in measured cadence, moved some 60-feet to the hearse which was positioned outside the aircraft parking silhouette.
The atmosphere was solemn and very dignified. In all, from block-in to family departure, the ceremony entailed about 40-minutes. Owing to the superb execution by our aircraft ramp team, the pilots and the honor guard of a totally unrehearsed choreography, it was the proudest moment of my 32-year career.
The occasion was also visited by the airport police, the TSA and representatives of other government agencies. A missing-man fly-by formation of T-38's from Randolph AFB was also provided as an unexpected honor to FO Pino and his family.
A visitation will be held at the Porter Loring Mortuary North this Monday beginning at 11 am. A service will follow at 1 pm in their chapel with burial to follow at about 2:30 pm with full military honors at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. Federal Express founder and Chief Executive Officer, Frederick W. Smith, is expected to attend.
M