Riders met and took the arranged bus to terminal D31 where we joined up with the American Airlines VMERG, Chaplain service, and USO representatives.  Riders met with the escort, a Captain who was good friends of SSgt. Loughmiller.  This was a very tough mission for the combat veteran.   Once the aircraft was ready, AA announced to waiting passengers who was there and why.  That announcement always gets to the riders.

We proceeded down to the ramp where the Captain called the commands to 'present arms'.   As all us were saluting, you could see other employees stop what they were doing and salute also.