Veterans Day Video

[Panzer]

I wanted to relate a story to you that is close to my heart.

Unlike active duty, the fallen Soldiers and Airmen of the Texas Military Forces do not travel from Dover to their families as HRs in the cargo hold of commercial aircraft. A C-130 from my unit, the 136th Air Wing in Fort Worth, brings them home. These missions are called Angel Flights.

On 17 September 2008 a CH-47 Helicopter, call sign Red River 44, from 2-249th Aviation Battalion based out of Grand Prarie crashed during a night mission in Iraq with no survivors. This was the greatest single day loss to the State of Texas since WWII.

After returning the crew of Red River 44 to Texas one of the pilots who participated in this solemn duty was relaying his experience to a friend, Darden Smith, who is a song writer. This conversation turned into Radney Foster's "Angel Flight" which was released on Veterans Day 2009.

YouTube - Angel Flight - Radney Foster

CAS

 

[JasonH]

Good stuff Chris. Thanks for posting, and thanks for your service.

 

[66fj40x2]

Good stuff, Thanks!

I crossposted over on Texas Coal Rollers forum too.

 

[Panzer]

Thanks for the cross post.
For those who wanted to know...

Isaiah 6:8

SSgt Luke Mason, 37, Springtown, Texas. He is survived by his wife and four daughters.
CW2 Corry Edwards, 38, Kennedale, Texas. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
CSM Julio Ordonez, 54, San Antonio, Texas. He is survived by his wife and four children.
CPT Robert Vallejo II, 28, Richland Hills, Texas. He is survived by his wife and a newborn son he never got to meet.
CPL Michael Thompson, 23, Harrah, Oklahoma. He is survived by his parents and sister.
CW3 Brady Rudolf, 37, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife and three children.
SGT Daniel Eshbaugh, 43, Norman, Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife and three children.


May they Rest in Peace.

 

[Panzer]

“The Texas Military Forces appreciates the efforts of Darden Smith,
Radney Foster, Darius Rucker, and all those who helped make the "Angel
Flight" song and video possible. Proceeds from this project for our Family Support
Foundation will go far to benefit military families experiencing difficult
situations.

We appreciate the care they have taken to memorialize fallen military
members and the air crews who bring them home to their loved ones."

-- Major General Jose S. Mayorga
The Adjutant General of Texas

 

[nicholastheczar]

Thanks for sharing the video, it was very heartfelt. Thank you for you service and may they RIP.

Nick

 

[Bodean]

Good stuff Chris. Let's talk at the Round-up.