Whenever a fallen serviceman returns home on a commercial flight, it’s always a moving site. Monday will be no exception.
San Antonio International Airport is set to receive a Fallen Hero Cart. A Fallen Hero Cart, crafted by Alaska Airlines maintenance employees to honor all fallen military members, is being delivered to San Antonio International Airport. This is the 14th cart Alaska Airlines has given to an airport, which can be used by all airlines to transport the remains of the deceased with respect and honor to and from an aircraft.
A special hand-off ceremony will welcome the cart’s arrival – after a 10-day journey from Seattle to San Antonio.
The blue cart has a red carpet, American flag curtains, a star and plaques representing the six military branches. Texas has a special place in its heart for military veterans as it is the home of several military bases. The ceremony at the airport is set to begin at 11 a.m. Central time, noon, Eastern time and 9 a.m. Pacific.
Attendees scheduled to be there include Mayor Ron Nirenberg; City Manager Erik Walsh; Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System; Maj. Gen. Juan G. Ayala, USMC (Ret.), Director of the City’s Military and Veteran Affairs Department; Col. Brendon Bartholomew, Vice Commander, Air Force Reserve Command's 433rd Airlift Wing, JBSA-Lackland; and Dan Brosch, Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Program, among others.
The state of South Carolina has a similar program in which it provides death benefits to the families of fallen police officers. Kansas City International was the last airport to receive a Fallen Hero Card, last year.
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