Plane-Side

Made it through the visitation tonight. It went really well I guess. Not sure what to expect from a visitation. Had a good turn out I guess. Considering it was Super Bowl night.
People came, talked, looked at pictures, and saw my brother.
My mother didn't come.

Not what I wanted to talk about tonight though.
Tonight I want to write about the plane-side honor.
On Friday my brother came home for the final time. I have to say it's really difficult to type that. I thought I was all cried out tonight but I guess I was wrong.

When we arrived at the airport we met with the honor guard at the base of the control tower. We waited for security to come and check our vehicles for bombs. My daughters thought that was pretty cool to see the german shepherd dog checking out the cars. After they decided we were ok we all got back into our cars and followed the police officer to the tarmac.
Once we arrived there we were directed where to park and we got out and stood by the car. The plane landed and pulled up to the terminal. It was freezing and loud! That was all my brain could think at that moment. How cold it was.
Once the plane had parked I was so thankful that the sun was behind the plane so I couldn't see the faces of the passengers on the plane. My grief at knowing my brother was in a casket lying in the cargo hold was open for everyone to see. I think if I had been able to see them staring at me might have put me over the edge.

Once the cargo hold was opened two soldiers climbed in. We waited as they prepared the casket and draped it with the American flag. The honor guard had lined up at the end of the hearse and marched to the end of the ramp that was hooked onto the plane. They waited while the soldiers inside the cargo bay finished their preparations. Once my brother's casket was ready they lowered it down the ramp and the honor guard picked it up. They carried it slowly to the hearse and placed it inside. Once it was secure the honor guard turned and marched past my family. The tears on the faces of these men and women who had never met my brother or my family touched me like nothing else. Seeing the airport employees bowing their heads and placing their hands upon their hearts was such an honor. My brother deserved it. He truly was a hero.

The honor guard climbed into their van and we got back in our car. We followed the hearse all the way back to the funeral home and they prepared my brother to be seen. Again we had an honor guard with us. The army truly has been with us every step of the way. You can see how much they care for their fallen comrades.

I have pictures of the ceremony and if I ever figure out how to add photos I will put some up. I am very thankful that my father in law came and took pictures because with the tears I missed alot of what happened.