SPRINGFIELD, Ill., - When fallen heroes return home to Illinois, the Soldiers of Illinois Army National Guard’s Company B, 935th Aviation and Company B, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation are ready to welcome them home at the unit's aviation hanger at Midway International Airport in Chicago.
The honor flights bring home fallen servicemembers from all branches of the military. The aviation facility at Midway has hosted more half a dozen honor flights in the past year and more in previous years.
“The goal of the honor flights is to provide a private, peaceful and respectful place for families to take the first step in the grieving process,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Becker, the flight facility commander.
The journey begins a few days before the flight to Chicago.
“Usually we get a call a couple days ahead, either from the Patriot Guard, the base operator or the contracted company who flies the planes, to let us know a flight will be coming in,” Becker said.
The day the flight lands members of the Patriot Guard, Chicago Fire Department, Midway Airport Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Transportation Security Administration, honor guard and other Illinois National Guard Soldiers arrive to pay their respects. Family of the fallen hero is escorted into the hanger by private limousine for privacy.
“When the plane taxis into the hanger, all work stops. Everyone who works in the hanger stops whatever they are doing and stands at attention,” Becker said.
Media are not allowed in the hanger unless requested by the family.
"The families are going through a lot. Sometimes they want to share the experience with the press, sometimes they do not,” said Becker. “We leave it up to them to make the decision.”
Becker said honor flights are just one of the many ways we can pay tribute to our fallen and their family.
“For those of us in the military, it is about respect,” said Becker. “We want to honor these brave men and women. For the families, this is the first step to closure. Their family member is finally home. This is the least we can do.”