JD's email Letter...

JD received this email, and he read it on the air today...We have received an outpouring of requests for it to be posted, so here it is. Please note this is not the ACTUAL, but rather a retyping of it by me as JD didn't still have the email in his folder. Thanks!



Date: December 3, 2006
Fllight 1904 ORD-MIA
Captain Jeff Wallace
First Officer Gary Blied

We were informed at the gate that the remains of MSgt Shawn Richardson would shortly be loaded on our flight for the trip to Miami. He was a 17 year veteran of the United States Air Force and had been killed in the service of our country. I went down onto the ramp and found the long box appropriately stationed off to the side in a luggage cart. The curtains on the cart were pulled. I spent a few moments in prayer with him.

The Captain and I finished our preflight duties and then went down onto the ramp, checked it with the crew chiefs to observe the loading of MSgt Richardson. We departed almost an hour late due to our late arrival into Chicago.

We called for a push and it was immediately granted. Normally there is a wait. We called for ground taxi and again- immediately granted. Normally there is a wait. We were cleared onto the runway and for an immediate take off. Passing through about twenty five thousand feet we were further cleared direct OMN (Ormand Beach) which is the first fix on the arrival to Miami. Not a word was ever said, but people were watching out for us.

The flight to and landing in Miami were uneventful, until we went to turn off the runway. The tower asked us to proceed a little further down where an escort was waiting for us. We did as instructed and a Miami Dade Police cruiser met us on the taxiway. He escorted our American Airlines Boeing 757 to the D terminal. The entire North ramp had been cleared of all aircraft.

As we approached we noticed the lights. There were at least a half dozen fire trucks and no less than 15 police cars and countless other vehicles. They were all parked in rows with their lights flashing. As we taxied our aircraft to the gate, the fire trucks saluted our arrival with crossed streams of water shooting over the aircraft.

We parked the aircraft and shut down. After our checklists, Captain Jeff Wallace and I went down to the ramp level and observed the unpacking of the casket, then the dressing with the flag. It was accepted by the Honor Guard which was comprised of members of the Miami Dade Police Department and Air Force Honor Guard.

After the "present arms" order (when all military and former military render salutes and civilians put their hands over their hearts) and the "order arms" order, when the salutes were finished, I noticed our jet. As I looked up from the ramp level I saw a face in every window. Not one of our passengers had moved until our fallen soldier had departed the aircraft.

When the procession left the airport, there were two cruisers in front of the hearse and I have no idea how many behind. It was worthy of a Presidential motorcade and a fitting and probably all too uncommon show of love and respect for one of our fallen.

And in case I haven't mentioned this previously- it was 1:30am, and I would bet that most of the people on our ramp were not on the clock.

Every now and then you see it: the silent majority that makes this country the best in the world. I was so proud that night. Proud that my felow citizens on every level worked to get MSgt Richardson to his final repose. Proud of all of the people that showed up on the ramp that early Saturday morning to show their respect.
Proud that American Airlines knows how to handle this situation with humility and honor.

As you go through your day, remember that there are thousands of men and women overseas in the service of our country, far from home and in dangers way. Please remember that they have families back here who live every day in fear of the phone call or visit with the news that their worst nightmare has come true.

Be thankful of their efforts and if you know someone who is in the service- get their address from their family and write to them and thank them.

Gary Blied,

Pilot, American Airlines

Major, USAF (ret)