Chaplain experiences fallen Marine’s journey home

Posted 2/16/2012 Updated 2/16/2012

by Chaplain (Lt. Cmdr.) Charles Rowley
Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations


2/16/2012 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- A few weeks back I was invited by the family of one of our fallen heroes to officiate at his Memorial service. Cpl. Joseph Logan was one of six Marines who died in the Helo crash on Jan. 19, 2012.

It is unusual for one of the chaplains from Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations to be on the journey home end of the return of our fallen, but in this situation the family had made a sincere request and it was difficult not to honor that request, remembering families come first.

I arrived in Houston on Sunday evening armed with the knowledge that Logan was due to arrive Monday morning at Bush Intercontinental Airport less than two miles away. At about 8:30 a.m., I left the hotel and punched the address into my GPS. As I prepared to turn right out of the parking lot, on a beautiful morning, with a cloudless blue sky, I realized I had no need for the GPS.

Passing at that very moment in front of me were about 30 members of the Patriot Guard Riders. I had no doubt where they were going, nor why. I fell in behind the last of them and let them lead me to the terminal where Logan would be arriving later.

By 9 a.m., I was at the private terminal at the west end of the airfield where Joseph was due to arrive at 10 a.m. As I parked my rental and headed toward the small terminal, I was taken by the number of Patriot Guard members who were already there.

I listened in as their chaplain said a prayer for the fallen Marine and for a safe procession to his home. I made my way past the leather clad group, complete with patches acknowledging which branch of service they had once served, and what state they hailed from, along with eagles, flags, Harley wings, etc.

I passed by greeting and thanking many of them for the service they provide to so many families throughout Texas. Some were clean shaven; others wore beards of various shades of grey and hair pulled back into pony tails. But they had one common goal that morning - to honor one of our fallen.

Soon I was in the midst of more than 50 police officers, in their fresh pressed uniforms, they too had gathered to not only serve as escorts but to honor a fallen service member. Moments later I found the Casualty Assistance Control Office (who serves as a liaison for the family) and the corporal's family members. We greeted each other, shared a few words and hugged one another.

While we waited for the Marine Corps Honor Guard to get things in order on the flight line and for the Kalitta jet to arrive, his family shared touching stories about Joseph to fill the time. His dad took the time to express his gratitude for all of the support they had received while in Dover for Joseph's Dignified Transfer, noting how touched they were as well by the support from the Friends of the Fallen and the USO.

Soon it was time for the family to make their way outside and welcome their Joseph home. This was not what they had expected or the homecoming they had looked forward to, but sometimes life is that way.

Joseph's mom, dad and wife took seats with Marine escorts at their sides. Just ahead to their left were more than 100 Patriot Guard members, each standing in formation holding a 3.5-by-5-foot American flag. Ahead of them were the several dozen police officers also in formation. To their right, was the hearse and the honor guard.

A few cameras could be heard clicking as all of us took in the special moment we shared together. Perhaps five minutes later a white SUV with flashing lights made its way onto the airfield to act as the escort for the Kalitta jet that was taxiing into position from the east end of the runway. As it moved closer, it was obvious that air traffic overhead had been placed in a hold pattern as news outlet helicopters moved in to record the unfolding event below.

As the jet finished getting into position and then shut down the engines, the Patriot Guard circled the aircraft and were called to attention. Even though their age varied by many years, and few looked like what I assume they did when they wore the uniform of their respective service, they each snapped to reverent attention with the American flag proudly displayed in front of each of them. Seconds later an officer called the police to attention. Then all of the Marines and other service members present were called to attention.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see the tears begin to stream down the faces of the family as the flag-draped casket was moved into full view from the rear of the aircraft. The honor guard on command marched respectfully and with precision into place along side the casket. Within seconds Cpl. Joseph Logan was passing in front of us and placed inside the hearse. With one call, all who had gathered were dismissed and made their way to their cars for the procession to Joseph's hometown of Willis, some 35 miles up the interstate.

Amidst the hugs and tears as family and friends, Patriot Guard and police made their way from the airfield to the cars, there was an overwhelming sense of respect for one who had died far too early in life - for one who had freely stepped up and signed on the line to serve his country in the midst of an ongoing war. Within minutes all had made their way to their vehicles. The motorcycles of the guard members and the police roared to life and the procession began to snake its way from the terminal to the interstate. I immediately took notice that as we passed each intersection, all traffic had come to a halt. People had exited their cars and were solemnly standing by. A short time later we curled our way up the ramp onto the interstate, led by both the Patriot Guard and the police -- but there was no traffic! There wasn't a car to be seen anywhere up ahead.

It took a few moments to comprehend what I was not only witnessing, but was engaged in. In order to rightly honor this valiant young man, all northbound traffic had been stopped. Not just in one lane, but in all six lanes. For the next 35 miles, I witnessed one of the most heart-wrenching and compelling events of my life.

It was a procession that was two maybe three miles long, led by a somewhat motley group of ragtag, flag-bearing motorcycle riding patriots and uniformed officers, followed closely by family and friends, and more police scattered throughout. But there was no other traffic. Along the way we passed on-ramps, where occupants had gathered at the edge of the road, to share in this young Marine's journey home. On the other side of the interstate, cars and trucks of all types, pulled toward the jersey wall, and they too stood silently by. I couldn't help but notice that there were people of all ages and skin color - men, women and children too.

I was moved to tears time and time again as we traveled toward Joseph's hometown. We passed a mom, perhaps 30-years old and her son, about 7. He was sitting on the Jersey wall holding a small American flag with his mom standing behind him. Neither moved as we passed by. I couldn't help but wonder what she had said to him. How had she explained this to her young son?

A few miles down the road, we could see an overpass that crossed the highway. Hanging from it was a large American flag, and from one end to the other it was lined with citizens displaying flags. The tears began again.

I could only imagine what his family was thinking when we passed an outlet mall that had dedicated their huge digital sign to the fallen corporal. There for everyone who passed by was a full-size picture of Joseph in his dress blues, and the caption: "In Honor of Joseph Logan."

Time and time again as oncoming traffic realized what this procession was, they stopped to pay homage and in their own way, thank a fallen service member for his sacrifice. If there was any doubt about the patriotism of the citizens of this country it was dispelled as we traveled those 35 miles.

Once we arrived to his hometown, our procession made its way down Main Street, which was blanketed with people, some having exited their place of business, others making their way here for this very moment. We turned right and then left and the procession and Joseph passed in front of his home one last time.

Even here the streets were lined with people, some holding signs celebrating his life, others with signs that read "rest in peace." At last we pulled into the funeral home and Joseph's family were, for the first time since his return to U.S. soil a few days before, able to lay their hands on the flag that draped the casket with the remains of their loved one.

This was their time. We all stepped aside and gave them the privacy they deserved. As they shed their tears, one could also see the relief upon their faces. Their Joseph was home! And all along the way, people - hundreds if not thousands - had stopped to say thank you to Marine Cpl. Joseph Logan and to his family for his sacrifice and service!

http://www.mortuary.af.mil/pressreleases/pressreleasearchive/story.asp?id=123290430

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