Fly, Home

We looked out the window. We saw the deep blue ocean below, through the pockets of clouds. It was a calming sight, after all the turmoil and damage that we had seen for years. All of us on this flight were headed home. Headed back to the reality that we knew prior to leaving. Headed away from the place that changed us, forever.

All of us, all nintey six of us, had fulfilled our duties in the war. As we all sat in the flight, we couldn’t help but let out sighs of relief. It wasn’t just from the physical pain, sleepless nights, burning heat, or torturous training. It was from the physicological changes that had occured. Even the rattling of the window from time to time, the metal making noises due to the forceful wind outside, or the way the plane would shift due to turbulence, it all caused something in all of us. This was tame in comparison to all that we’ve been through for the past four years. It made us realize that we made it out.

“10 minutes till landing folks,” said the captain on the speaker. These next ten minutes were going to be the most important one that we might ever feel. I, along with others, flown planes in the war. To think I went from being a fighter pilot that had to protect and defend, to now being on a flight that would bring me freedom, I thought the day would never come. It made me realize the blessing this flight was for me. It must have been the same message that my friend learned in Bible school, the message in the story of Noah’s Ark. It wasn’t just a message of saving and protecting, but it also could be a message of a second life after disaster.

“5 minutes till landing,” said the captain in an update. I looked to my muddied and weathered down boots on the floor. It was almost like a stamp of approval, a badge of honour. I then looked around, and saw another soldier from my squandron. He had gotten into an accident, and somehow survived the crash. He had very apparent signs of PTSD, and sometimes we would pass him by, seeing all of the life in his eyes almost completely gone. But as I looked at him now, I saw a person who seemed different now. He looked out the window, with the gleaming rays of the sun basking on him, as he closed his eyes and smiled. This was the calmest and most peaceful I had seen him since we were first being deployed to the war.

“Prepare for landing,” said the captain. We all buckled in, looking at each other. We were brothers, banded not just by war, but by the shared experience. The flight slowly descended towards the runaway below. I looked outside to see the green grass and the yellow hay fields surrounding the airport, which was located on the coast of the ocean. It felt good to see something like this again. It felt good that this flight wasn’t one that was gonna be questioned with the question that I and others had: will I make it out of here alive? You never want to feel the fear we all felt. Its something that I never wish on anyone else. As the plane tires touched on the tarmac, we shifted in our seats as the plane stabilized and landed. As the plane slowly grounded to a standstill, we unbuckled and sat there. All of us in silence. We were confused as to how to feel in this situation. Was it happiness, bittersweet emotion, or just a feeling of emptiness as some found their meaning in life would be altered now that they weren’t fighting a war. Whatever emotion it was, it would have to be subsided for a moment as the back entrance of the plane opened up. The bright light of outside swept us all in a glow. I’ve never wanted it to be sunnier in my life. As we all got up, we all proceeded to get off the plane. None of us knew what life had in store. But one thing’s for sure, this plane ride was the first step to reclaiming life, or making a new one. And for thought I, and the others, are extremely grateful.