Burlington International Airport - Operation Specialist (my "title" there)
Tonight I took part in something I hope I never have to take part in with regards to my brother David.
"Army Sgt. Michael A. Benson died Wednesday, eight days after he was gravely wounded in an attack in Baghdad, Iraq."
He was flown to VT earlier tonight for memorial services to be held tomorrow in his honor. I decided to stop in to the airport earlier tonight without knowing what was going to be going on later.
As I drove in one of the airport vehicles with one of the Burlington PD cops to a gate, we waited for, and then escorted the hearse onto the airfield over to the plane. It really became real for me when I saw the casket packaged inside of a box. All I could do was stare as the two Army officials walked around inspecting the stunning silver body of the casket. As he was loaded into the car the Army officials thanked us for our help and shook our hands.
It's amazing how we can live our lives day to day, glancing at the newspaper every so often only to see another military death, and we don't always take the time to read into each person; realize it wasn't just another military death, it was a sad loss for several people. Until it becomes someone close to us we usually fail to grasp the extent of the events that occurred. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. We have it so good here in the U.S. and several people fail to realize it.
"Freedom Isn't Free!"
I have the utmost respect for my brother David, currently serving over in Iraq, and for every other solider serving our country on our own land, and overseas. My respect will only become stronger as I enter the Air Force ROTC in the coming weeks.
~Take care~
"Army Sgt. Michael A. Benson died Wednesday, eight days after he was gravely wounded in an attack in Baghdad, Iraq."
He was flown to VT earlier tonight for memorial services to be held tomorrow in his honor. I decided to stop in to the airport earlier tonight without knowing what was going to be going on later.
As I drove in one of the airport vehicles with one of the Burlington PD cops to a gate, we waited for, and then escorted the hearse onto the airfield over to the plane. It really became real for me when I saw the casket packaged inside of a box. All I could do was stare as the two Army officials walked around inspecting the stunning silver body of the casket. As he was loaded into the car the Army officials thanked us for our help and shook our hands.
It's amazing how we can live our lives day to day, glancing at the newspaper every so often only to see another military death, and we don't always take the time to read into each person; realize it wasn't just another military death, it was a sad loss for several people. Until it becomes someone close to us we usually fail to grasp the extent of the events that occurred. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. We have it so good here in the U.S. and several people fail to realize it.
"Freedom Isn't Free!"
I have the utmost respect for my brother David, currently serving over in Iraq, and for every other solider serving our country on our own land, and overseas. My respect will only become stronger as I enter the Air Force ROTC in the coming weeks.
~Take care~