construction workers'-honors. He was finally moving towards home.
As I chatted with the driver on the hour-long trip to Philadelphia, it became clear that he considered it an honor to be able to contribute in getting Chance home. He offered his sympathy to the family. I was glad to finally be moving yet apprehensive about what things would be like at the airport. I didn't want this package to be treated like ordinary cargo, but I knew that the simple logistics of moving around a box this large would have to overrule my preferences.
When we got to the Northwest Airlines cargo terminal at the Philadelphia airport, the cargo handler and hearse driver pulled the shipping container onto a loading bay while I stood to the side and executed a slow salute. Once Chance was safely in the cargo area, and I was satisfied that he would be treated with due care and respect, the hearse driver drove me over to the passenger terminal and dropped me off.
As I walked up to the ticketing counter in my uniform, a Northwest employee started to ask me if I knew how to use the automated boarding pass dispenser. Before she could finish another ticketing agent interrupted her. He told me to go straight to the counter then explained to the woman that I was a military escort. She seemed embarrassed. The woman behind the counter already had tears in her eyes as I was pulling out my government travel voucher. She struggled to find words but managed to express her sympathy for the family and thank me for my service. She upgraded my ticket to first class.
As I chatted with the driver on the hour-long trip to Philadelphia, it became clear that he considered it an honor to be able to contribute in getting Chance home. He offered his sympathy to the family. I was glad to finally be moving yet apprehensive about what things would be like at the airport. I didn't want this package to be treated like ordinary cargo, but I knew that the simple logistics of moving around a box this large would have to overrule my preferences.
When we got to the Northwest Airlines cargo terminal at the Philadelphia airport, the cargo handler and hearse driver pulled the shipping container onto a loading bay while I stood to the side and executed a slow salute. Once Chance was safely in the cargo area, and I was satisfied that he would be treated with due care and respect, the hearse driver drove me over to the passenger terminal and dropped me off.
As I walked up to the ticketing counter in my uniform, a Northwest employee started to ask me if I knew how to use the automated boarding pass dispenser. Before she could finish another ticketing agent interrupted her. He told me to go straight to the counter then explained to the woman that I was a military escort. She seemed embarrassed. The woman behind the counter already had tears in her eyes as I was pulling out my government travel voucher. She struggled to find words but managed to express her sympathy for the family and thank me for my service. She upgraded my ticket to first class.
After clearing security, I was met by another Northwest Airline employee at the gate. She told me a representative from cargo would be up to take me down to the tarmac to observe the movement and loading of PFC Phelps. I hadn't really told any of them what my mission was but they all knew.
When the man from the cargo crew met me, he, too, struggled for words. On the tarmac, he told me stories of his childhood as a military brat and repeatedly told me that he was sorry for my loss. I was starting to understand that, even here in Philadelphia, far away from Chance's hometown, people were mourning with his family.
On the tarmac, the cargo crew was silent except for occasional instructions to each other. I stood to the side and saluted as the conveyor moved Chance to the aircraft. I was relieved when he was finally settled into place. The rest of the bags were loaded and I watched them shut the cargo bay door before heading back up to board the aircraft.
(Part 2 will follow in our July newsletter)
CHANGES TO OUR ROSTER
Howard Davis' - repeating his Tel# 231-937-5969 and his tour 2/51 - 2/52 3rdSqd-3rdPlt Edward M. Domanoski's Tel# 732-297-9230
Louis Paul Eaves' email lpbeaves@bellsouth.net
Bernard Egerter's add: P.O. Box 22062, Carmel, CA 93922-0062
Edward J. Gibson's Tel# 212-209-9428
When the man from the cargo crew met me, he, too, struggled for words. On the tarmac, he told me stories of his childhood as a military brat and repeatedly told me that he was sorry for my loss. I was starting to understand that, even here in Philadelphia, far away from Chance's hometown, people were mourning with his family.
On the tarmac, the cargo crew was silent except for occasional instructions to each other. I stood to the side and saluted as the conveyor moved Chance to the aircraft. I was relieved when he was finally settled into place. The rest of the bags were loaded and I watched them shut the cargo bay door before heading back up to board the aircraft.
(Part 2 will follow in our July newsletter)
CHANGES TO OUR ROSTER
Howard Davis' - repeating his Tel# 231-937-5969 and his tour 2/51 - 2/52 3rdSqd-3rdPlt Edward M. Domanoski's Tel# 732-297-9230
Louis Paul Eaves' email lpbeaves@bellsouth.net
Bernard Egerter's add: P.O. Box 22062, Carmel, CA 93922-0062
Edward J. Gibson's Tel# 212-209-9428
James J. Nasto, Jr. Tel#
732-254-1764
Bernard P. Pavlik's add: 345 Lakeview Dr, Lehighton, PA 18235-6308
Duane St John's email: sinjon2@earthlink.net
Tommy Thompson's email: carolnoz@sbcglobal.net
Ajiebo Ventrudo's Tel# 973-948-6822
Vincent J. Yeasted's email vyeasted@comcast.net
STOLEN VALOR ACT
The House of Representatives passed a Senate-approved bill 6 DEC that would make it a felony to claim unearned military decorations. The bill would close a loophole in current law that allows phony recipients to escape prosecution as long as they do not physically wear the awards they claim. If signed into law by the president, the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 would impose up to six months imprisonment and a maximum $5,000 fine for any false verbal, written or physical claim to an award or decoration authorized for military members. Penalties would be doubled for fraudulent claims to decorations specifically awarded for combat valor, such as the Navy Cross, Silver Star and Medal of Honor. During floor debate on the Senate bill, which was passed unanimously on 7 SEP, House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) referenced recent cases in Illinois and Missouri of men who have never served a day in uniform each claiming to be Marine officers and recipients of the Navy Cross, the nation's second highest award for valor
Bernard P. Pavlik's add: 345 Lakeview Dr, Lehighton, PA 18235-6308
Duane St John's email: sinjon2@earthlink.net
Tommy Thompson's email: carolnoz@sbcglobal.net
Ajiebo Ventrudo's Tel# 973-948-6822
Vincent J. Yeasted's email vyeasted@comcast.net
STOLEN VALOR ACT
The House of Representatives passed a Senate-approved bill 6 DEC that would make it a felony to claim unearned military decorations. The bill would close a loophole in current law that allows phony recipients to escape prosecution as long as they do not physically wear the awards they claim. If signed into law by the president, the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 would impose up to six months imprisonment and a maximum $5,000 fine for any false verbal, written or physical claim to an award or decoration authorized for military members. Penalties would be doubled for fraudulent claims to decorations specifically awarded for combat valor, such as the Navy Cross, Silver Star and Medal of Honor. During floor debate on the Senate bill, which was passed unanimously on 7 SEP, House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) referenced recent cases in Illinois and Missouri of men who have never served a day in uniform each claiming to be Marine officers and recipients of the Navy Cross, the nation's second highest award for valor