Respectful Thoughts

Breakfast was indeed at Pancakes Eggcetera, which did have some really good pancakes, and very disappointing corned beef hash that they claimed was "deli-style", whic apparently means "from a can". Argh.

Another day went by very quickly, and we managed to accomplish something. Yay. We headed to the airport and I barely made an earlier flight, which got me back to SEA around 8.

As we made our way to the gate, there were several police cars and firetrucks on the tarmac, and some people in military dress uniforms. As they greeted the plane, we realized that there was a dead soldier in the hold, and that this was the transfer ceremony. Most people on the plane watched the process, but a few seemed completely oblivious and as such, seemed even more disrespectful. One girl in particular had a cellphone conversation that went something like this:

"...So, yeah, it was crazy...There was alcohol involved...yeah...I think there's, like, dead people on the plane...yeah, dead people...there's a lot of, like, military outside...I there's, like, dead soldiers or something...yeah, I know..."

I wanted to say something, but directly in front of me was an actual air force soldier returning home for 3 weeks leave, and he didn't seem to care. I felt like it would be hypocritical for me to do something in that situation, if the person to be most insulted by her actions was doing nothing. I don't know...

I deplaned, and watched them take the coffin and put it in the hearse. There were a few people watching from inside, and I wanted to take pictures but that felt disrespectful as well. There were civilians on the tarmac as well, the soldier's family I suppose, and even though I couldn't see their faces I could tell they were crying and comforting each other. It seemed so surreal, to be watching on an airport tarmac as a loved one's coffin is taken out. One woman watching with me inside the airport was crying, and I think it was just from sympathy.

I waited until the family had left and the soldiers marched away before taking pictures.

The police and firefighters weren't there for any reason other than to show respect, and I felt like I had a brief glimpse into a world that I don't think, and hope, that I'll never have to be a part of.