Some paid the ultimate price

All gave some, some gave all is a phrase in a country song about our military. Billy Ray Cyrus said that in a song he sung. This song makes me think every time I hear it.https://youtu.be/Jh_-kXP2hsI

Every airline has it's own policies concerning the handling of US Troops arriving home who sacrificed everything. Most airlines refer to the families as "Goldstar" families and will ask other passengers to remain seated until that family has completely exited the aircraft. But as in everything else, you have those assholes who refuse to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Like in this video passengers totally disrespected a fallen hero by getting up and heading for the exits before the casket was loaded. The protocol is that you are supposed to remain seated until the casket is off the aircraft and on it's way to the final resting place. https://youtu.be/90okIT-BE4Q It makes me angry when people are so impatient that they can't follow one simple request.

Most airlines have a policy of where the ramp agents must stand off to the side, remove their caps and allow the military honor guard to take the fallen from the belt loader. The only airline personnel to handle the body would be the ramp agents on the inside of the aircraft. Why is this policy in place to begin with? Most airlines hire military veterans. I retired from Frontier Airlines, based in Denver. Their corporate policy is if a veteran and non veteran apply for the same position, and all qualifications are equal then they will hire the veteran over the non veteran.

Every airline is proud to serve us veterans from the para Olympics to whatever special event that is going on. Most airlines fly our world war 2 veterans to the Pearl Harbor ceremony at no cost. This again is an honor for the airline, and crew.

The family is allowed out onto the tarmac to retrieve their loved ones body. Most military personnel will allow the widow or parents of the deceased a few moments with the body so they can privately pay their respects. Children are held very close and tight to their parents because anything can happen out there. After the body is retrieved by the honor guard, it is placed in a hearse and taken to the funeral home.

Most veterans funeral processions are large but it also depends on how many people that veteran knew and how active he or she was in veterans groups and events.

There were times when working at the airport, I would notice veterans looking out the window hats off and saluting a casket coming off an aircraft draped in an American Flag. What's even better is when they are teaching their children this valuable lesson, that freedom has a price and the person in that box just paid the ultimate price for it. As a veteran that makes me proud and happy to see.

Today in Kabul, Afghanistan, thirteen Americans lost their lives protecting citizens from ISIS. They were attacked by two suicide bombers of which the group ISIS-K claimed responsibility. These men will be received by the President at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. By now the families have been notified of their death. Now thirteen "Goldstar families" have to make funeral arrangements. They too will receive the best treatment an airline can give them. In Anchorage there is a gate agent named Denise that sings the National Anthem when she finds out here flight is an honor flight. It is sad to see that we lose even more people in a prolonged war.

If you aren't a veteran thank a veteran for serving. As a veteran I even thank the spouses and children for their service because in my opinion, they serve also.