An airline captain’s main priority is to keep his or her passengers safe. But Captain Richard Rodriguez went above and beyond the call of duty after he learned that a fallen soldier was on his flight.
Captain Rodriguez made exceptional arrangements during the flight to honor a man who died for his country. This amazing story of kindness, comfort, care, and love is so touching it will bring you to tears and impact your heart…this is the type of story we should never forget!
As Captain Rodriguez was doing preflight checks, one of the flight attendants came up and told him, “We have an H.R. on this flight”. For those who don’t recognize this term, H.R. stands for human remains.
So, he decided to do everything he could to pay respect to the fallen hero.
Captain Rodriguez let the young army sergeant board early, who was an escort of the fallen soldier. Rodriguez also thanked the sergeant for the work that he does for the families of fallen soldiers. Only then did he board everyone else.
Rodriguez spoke to the soldier’s escort and asked him if there was anything he could do for him. The pilot told him that he had the hardest job in the military.
A short while later, after takeoff, the lead flight attendant called the cabin and informed the captain that the soldier’s family was also on board.
Captain Rodriguez wrote about that day on the Love What Matters Facebook page:
“I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is also on board,” she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left.
We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia. The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane.
The flight attendant asked if there was anything at all that could be done for the soldier’s family. Rodriguez told her, “I’m on it.”
Rodriguez took over the regular flight communication system to instead contact the airline via a secondary radio. He explained the situation and asked for help to arrange a worthy return home for the family. The airline promised to return, but when Rodriguez did not receive a reply for two hours, he sent a new message.
Finally, he received an answer:
Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now, and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family.
The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal, where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home.
Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.
The captain printed the message and sent it to the family. When the plane then landed, he decided to do something special. He stopped just short of the gate and paused to make an announcement.
“You have no idea how much this will mean to them,” the lead flight attendant told him.
After landing the plane, the Captain made an announcement:
Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking: I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.
Not only did every person on the flight wait for the family to get their things and exit the plane first, but they all also clapped as they walked through the aisle. Some offered well wishes and prayers, as well.
Rodriguez finished his post with a powerful message:
“Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier. I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of AMERICA.”
The other passengers will also likely never forget how the captain went out of his way to make sure that this soldier was treated with the utmost respect on that flight.
Soldiers sacrifice so much for this country, and when someone goes out of their way to show their appreciation, it’s inspiring. Hopefully, more people will do things like this in the future.
Sources: OpposingViews, Love What Matters/Facebook
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