Delta Honor Guard

Having a son and daughter in law who served in the Army...I say THANK YOU to the men and women of Delta and what you do. It will not be forgotten.

That's beautiful.

Not unique to Delta. Most of the big ones do it. Many of the staff are ex military. Very deep emotions.

I saw this done by American Airlines a couple of years ago at ORD. Very emotional for all that were watching.

First one I attended was on a USAir jet in Tampa - that was in 1967

It's good to see that even the big busy airlines can still slow down and pay respects to those that make our freedom possible.

seeing this happen that an airline has an honor gaurd to honor a fallen soldier and I think his service dog is amazing.

A touching and deeply emotionally moving tribute. Thanks for posting.

Anyone see the film starring Kevin Bacon titled "Taking Chance"? Taking Chance is a 2009 historical drama film based upon the experiences of Marine Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl (Kevin Bacon), who escorted the body of a fallen Marine, PFC Chance Phelps (posthumously promoted to LCpl), back to his hometown from the Iraq War.

We likely all know to some extent how our heroes are sent home, but until seeing that film, I had no idea the care and respect with which this difficult task was performed. It's well WELL worth searching out and watching.

God bless all those who have gone off to protect our lives and our beautiful country - and that includes my son, Don.

Very well done. Thank you to all those who have and still serve.

I have witnessed these types of tribute more times than I can remember, while flying Delta. It is all about dignity and respect. Most importantly it is a reminder that some gave all to protect our freedom.

Nice video, awesome to see this. From a retired Vet, thanx delta (and all others who do this)...

Well done Delta Airlines.

I've been watching this since 2001 because I fly out of PHL (near Dover Air Base). Unfortunately, the first time was a Navy Captain escorting his son's body home. That was the worst, but it never seems to get easier every time we're asked to remain seated until an Honor Guard ceremony is over.

One of the youtube comments (http://www.youtube.com/comment?lc=EsW6d6GJnzP0OqZwwvlD2sVXeylXE9jOAm_L8sYJvp4) suggests this was remains from MIA soldiers from the Korean war.

"Please keep the comments respectful, this should not be a political soap box, we were just showing our respect and admiration for these soldiers who were MIA over 62 years from the Korean War. Please show all due respect..."

Name seems to match the claim. https://www.google.com/search?q=brian+mcconnell+delta (which also has links to more info about this program)

I salute Delta for taking the time, and care to provide the final flight to our fallen soldiers. I however believe that it should not fall on the shoulders of Delta to provide this service. This should be a military aircraft accompanied by a military honor guard. Having given everything, that is the least the military could do in return.
101st Airborne

GOOD FOR DELTA

Great Video... I work under the Delta Flag (Regional) and never knew this... It is a great thing..

I viewed this video a few weeks ago and as a Vietnam veteran,was deeply moved.I communicated my thoughts to Delta CEO,Richard Anderson,and was pleasantly surprised to receive a personal response from him.In his message to me he said that the ramp employees in Atlanta were responsible for forming the honor guard and that he was very proud of them.He also said it moves him to tears every time he sees them honoring a fallen soldier.A truly class act and an airline that cares about us.God bless.

This article http://www.ajc.com/news/business/delta-group-honors-veterans-remains/nQcBM/ mentions a few of the other airlines and locations that also have formed similar honor guard groups.

I hope that all our other transportation companies, will follow Deltas example of honoring our fallen military personnel when they return home. God bless them all.

Thanks for posting this and to all those who added links to more information. This is the best of our country. People just doing their jobs and along the way, honoring those who have given their all. They are not looking for glory or recognition for themselves, they are honoring those who truly deserve it.

In regards to genie haber post. This is a aviation website...not a site for scams!! Also...is this your response to a tribute for a fallen solider and the Delta Honor Guard!!

How about a year or two of free travel for the wife and children of those killed in action?

there are no words powerful enough or eloquent enough to truly say thank you to each and every person in harms way

HOORAY FOR DELTA ! A proud American Veteran ...S/Sgt USAF John W. Mitchell, Pierre, SD

I witnessed the return of a female soldier's body at DTW by North West Airlines in the early 2000s .
I was very impressed by the respect and professionalism displayed by my fellow employees .
Many of these people who would never be caught crying in public were relieved it was raining heavily that day .
Well done Delta .
Thank you to all US service personnel and their loved ones .

Very nicely done -- good for Delta and the others who do it (i hope they do it with as much class as Delta)!

Gentlemen, this is an aviation-oriented site. Many of us who visit here are veterans so the "Delta Honor Guard" post was doubly appropriate and appreciated by many of us. Those who have political opinions to share -- while I agree with many of them -- would do well to take it to a more appropriate venue. There is a vast internet out there with places that would love to read those comments. This is a place that people come to read about aviation.

Thanks,

Had no idea that they did something like this TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shared around the planet on f/b/!!!!!!!!!

I am not one to offer up anything but praise for anyone who shows honor to our Troops and Veterans--however I cannot let this pass without asking is this the same Delta that charged our troops for personal luggage after they returned to the USA and booked flights on Delta home from the Airport in NJ--yes it is the same airline and the only way they stopped charging the returning Troops, was 5 of them ,posted a video on you tube about the excessive charges--now Delta has a different policy, but only after they were busted--have not flown that airline since-also keep in mind that Delta was paid a hefty fee to transport the Troops to and from the WAR--I am not trying to be a stick in the mud about this video, but facts are facts and this comment is from a war vet--1968--unless the policy has changed--Delta does not do anything for the military for free--

Hey guys knock it off ! I'm a retired Air Traffic Controller myself 1985......jm

two thumbs for delta for doing the honor guard the other airlines need to do it also

Thank you, Delta employees! Please take the following note as helpful advice. The flags should be in the following order (from right to left as viewed by the flag bearers):

Stars & Stripes
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Coast Guard
Air Force
Any other flags appropriate to the occasion.

CDR Bob

Glad to see delta doing this service as well.
But their not exclusive AA does it and I've seen us airways at certain airports
And DL only does this in ATL
Nice job DL

God bless Delta for doing this. I said GOD bless DELTA for doing this.

Kudo's to Delta

No Words Can Decribe

Hats Off To Delta Airlines

No comment needed.

I give great credit to the dedicated employees who perform these ceremonies for someone who, by definition, cannot return their gratitude because they have already paid the ultimate pride. But I admit the video made me more angry than anything. The body of the fallen should be received with honor along their whole route but they should be seen by the public who go on with their hollow lives oblivious to the losses incurred in their name. A great nation must be defended by all its citizens, not just by the few. And the vacuous "thank you for your service" most people white wash their own passivity with is just too pathetic for me. BTW, I am not a US citizen, but this simple truth is common to all democracies: if only a few defend the nation, their blood becomes cheap to the nation and their lives will inevitably be risked with disregard by their leaders when the eyes of the nation are not on them.

As an Army Reservist for over 30 years, and a loyal Delta customer for over 35 years, Delta has just earned a new profound respect from me. I was also unaware of the existence of a Delta Honor Guard that pays tribute to our fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen. Good job Delta, I salute you for a job well done!

Awesome tribute. As a retired Army Reservist after 23 years, it's refreshing to know that a member's service is appreciated. Thank you, Delta.

Wow...what can I say?

What can U say??? God Bless the fallen, the POW-MIA,s , and Delta. I've seen it B4 , but still chokes U up!!! NEVER FORGET !!!!!!!!!!!!!

god bless our soldiers

What a tremendous tribute and service. Well done.

Thank you to Delta employees and to the airline for doing this. While I have heard other carriers may do this, there's nothing that strikes at the heart when you are taxying through ATL than to witness something like this. The entire aircraft becomes silent, out of awe and respect. As a Million Miler, the things I complain about -- suddenly aren't important anymore. Thanks again to everyone at Delta and every airline who treat our military members with such love and respect.

I know the commercial carriers do this. I have never witnessed this and it was extremely emotional. I lost it watching this.

Anyone who has been a member of the armed forces of any country would have trouble keeping there eyes dry. I am a vet of the Canadian Armed Forces and that video made me very warm all over.

I think this was great or is great on the part of Delta. Each airline salutes our fallen heros in their own way. There are more videos on YouTube if you care to watch.

It is great that Delta does this and fine that they have documented it. I have mixed feelings, however, about Delta's PR efforts to package and distribute the video. If you are doing this for the right reasons, I'd be uneasy about exploiting this in any way for PR value.

Proud Americans. Thank you Delta.

Welcome home soldier, thank you for your service.

Check out "Taking Chance" starring Kevin Bacon..... similar subject - fantastic film. Way underrated.

JANE PHONE HOME
1-800-HANOI. .....

We perpetuate war by exalting its sacrifices.

http://youtu.be/i00Jiiak0UE

Since this is an aviation site, I'll post this last remark about our military in perpetual war and leave it that.

Nobody wants to admit it, but all of the men and women service members (including other country's men and women that join us.) are all dying in vain. There has been not one positive out come since all of these "wars on terror" began.

The corrupt politicians are just puppets to the banksters anyway, mainly The Federal Reserve, which is an unconstitutional entity to begin with. ( Read the book, "The Creature From Jekyll Island")

The U.S. monetary system operates on a scheme of perpetual debt. The deficit will never be paid off and in fact, the collapse of the U.S. dollar is not far away with the runaway money printing by the FED.

These wars have nothing to do with "freedoms" or "doing the right thing". They have everything to do with maintaining "the petro-dollar" (Bretton Woods Act) and securing more oil reserves, not to mention control of the people. (Read the book, "Confessions Of An Economic Hitman")

Contrary to what the masses think, it is the criminal banksters behind the scenes that controll everything. The puppets in DC are shouting for war, in order to please the banksters and military industrial complex. There are huge profits to be made in wars. This is why the "perpetual terrorists" had to be created to keep the citizens constantly afraid.

I believe it was Ben Franklin that said, Those who give up liberties in order to have security, in the end receive neither, nor deserve them."

The U.S. government could care less about Bashar al Assaad, nor the Syrian people. If this runaway rogue U.S. government sends in the "peace and love missiles" they will effectively be aiding the rebels which are affiliated with al Qaeda. How much sense does that make. BTW, al Qaeda was created by the CIA. As the idiot Pelosi said, "Why they are for the children."

I will part with a very good article by Michael Rozeff and a note to investigate WTC 7 (World Trade Center).

Cheers

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2013/08/michael-s-rozeff/how-goes-the-global-war-on-terror/

Ok, I've obviously got to be the devil's advocate on this one. When did all this stuff start? I worked there for years (granted not in ATL where they have all the shiny new toys and where this was obviously filmed) but NEVER did I see anything even remotely like this happen. I offloaded more HR's in those years than I can count and PLENTY of them were military ones. The only thing we were told to do (And thats if they were coming with a one or two person mil escort, which was the max I ever saw) was to keep all the pax and cargo onboard until the Mil HR was off. The escort guys came down the jetbridge first and stood there while we offloaded the HR down below. Only once in a while did the escort guys even drape a flag over the thing during the offload. I've never EVER heard of any DL honor guard or ANY airline honor guard for that matter. When did all this stuff start?

absolutely awesome !!!!!!!

Delta also participates in the Honor Flights from MKE (General Mitchell Int'l, Milwaukee), sending WWII and Korea veterans to Washington to visit the memorials. Available pilots, flight attendants and gate attendants participate in sending off and welcome home gatherings. The gate is decorated for the occasion with flowers, balloons and streamers. Delta goes all out for them.

AWESOME! Thanks for uploading.

Here at Islip-MacArthur Airport (lisp) it is down all the time for our home town heros. For their sacrifice its the least we can do.