A CIVIL THANK YOU

Last week, while travelling in Canada on business, I noticed a soldier traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the soldier, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

"No," he responded.

"Heading out," I asked?

"No. I'm escorting a soldier home."

"Going to pick him up?"

"No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Afghanistan. I'm taking him home to his family."

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, "Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do."

Upon landing in Canada the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the Canadian Armed Forces join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be a Canadian.

So, here's a public "Thank You" to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.