Today, August 7th, I had the privilege of honoring a hero killed in Afghanistan as he made his final trip home. I also got to meet his mom and and share tears with her over her terrible loss.
Specialist Alexander Miller made his final flight home this morning. Kalitta Charter Airlines landed at Orlando International Airport at 10:57 AM under sunny skies. Airport crash trucks saluted Specialist Miller with water cannon as the plane taxied toward the ramp. The crash trucks then escorted the plane to the ramp of Signature Aviation, the FBO.
Specialist Miller's family was waiting on the ramp along with the US Army honor guard, law enforcement officers from the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Orlando Police Department, fire department personnel, airport security personnel, and airport and Signature Aviation employees. Five Patriot Guard Riders were also lined up to honor Specialist Miller.
The pilot shut down the engines and all was quiet on the ramp as we waited for the cargo door to open. At last it opened and the casket lift was put in place. The only sounds heard were military commands to the honor guard. With the military members and law enforcement personnel at present arms and civilians saluting or hands over hearts, the flag draped casket appeared in the doorway.
Tears were freely flowing from family members', law enforcement personnel's, Patriot Guard Riders' and even news media personnel's eyes as the casket was slowly lowered and the waiting honor guard carried it to the hearse. Salutes were slowly lowered and the family was escorted to the waiting hearse. PGR quietly filed out of the gate and mounted their bikes with flags flying to escort Specialist Miller and his family to Clearmont.
The escort went very well. The Lake County Deputies did an outstanding job with the escort. On the freeways, deputies shut down all lanes in the direction the procession was going. Motorists were very courteous. On the two lane roads, they pulled over to the side and many got out of thier cars and stood with hands over their hearts. In Clearmont, people cam eout of thier homes and businesses to stand beside the streets as the hearse bearing Specialist Miller and the flag bikes passed.
I thank the Lake County Sheriff's Office, the Orlando Police Department, Orlando International Airport Security personnel and firefighters' and the Kalitta crew for their professionalism and courtesy rendered to Specialist Miller and his family.
A hero has returned home.
Services will be held Sunday and the Patriot Guard Riders will be there.
Specialist Alexander Miller made his final flight home this morning. Kalitta Charter Airlines landed at Orlando International Airport at 10:57 AM under sunny skies. Airport crash trucks saluted Specialist Miller with water cannon as the plane taxied toward the ramp. The crash trucks then escorted the plane to the ramp of Signature Aviation, the FBO.
Specialist Miller's family was waiting on the ramp along with the US Army honor guard, law enforcement officers from the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Orlando Police Department, fire department personnel, airport security personnel, and airport and Signature Aviation employees. Five Patriot Guard Riders were also lined up to honor Specialist Miller.
The pilot shut down the engines and all was quiet on the ramp as we waited for the cargo door to open. At last it opened and the casket lift was put in place. The only sounds heard were military commands to the honor guard. With the military members and law enforcement personnel at present arms and civilians saluting or hands over hearts, the flag draped casket appeared in the doorway.
Tears were freely flowing from family members', law enforcement personnel's, Patriot Guard Riders' and even news media personnel's eyes as the casket was slowly lowered and the waiting honor guard carried it to the hearse. Salutes were slowly lowered and the family was escorted to the waiting hearse. PGR quietly filed out of the gate and mounted their bikes with flags flying to escort Specialist Miller and his family to Clearmont.
The escort went very well. The Lake County Deputies did an outstanding job with the escort. On the freeways, deputies shut down all lanes in the direction the procession was going. Motorists were very courteous. On the two lane roads, they pulled over to the side and many got out of thier cars and stood with hands over their hearts. In Clearmont, people cam eout of thier homes and businesses to stand beside the streets as the hearse bearing Specialist Miller and the flag bikes passed.
I thank the Lake County Sheriff's Office, the Orlando Police Department, Orlando International Airport Security personnel and firefighters' and the Kalitta crew for their professionalism and courtesy rendered to Specialist Miller and his family.
A hero has returned home.
Services will be held Sunday and the Patriot Guard Riders will be there.
