作者Johnney Jet，《旅行者》杂志撰稿人。翻译黄明明，美国夏威夷州警察，这才是美国签约作者。

原题： Flight turns unforgettable when passengers learn of fallen soldier

Delta Flight 2255 from Atlanta to Los Angeles seemed to be an ordinary flight with the exception of Candy, who was the most loving flight attendant I’ve ever encountered. Besides using her Southern charm to quickly defuse every situation, she began her welcome announcement by thanking the handful of uniformed soldiers on-board for serving our country. Her poignant message was followed by applause, and it put into perspective that none of us would be able to do what we do without these brave men and women.

从美国南部乔治亚州的亚特兰大飞往美国西部加州洛杉矶的达美航空2255号航班，本来是一次普通的空中之旅，除过那位叫凯蒂的空服人员，她是我（Johnny）遇到过的最可爱的空服：她用自己南方人特有的魅力轻松自如的应付（乘客们）的各种情况。她在欢迎乘客们的广播中，首先对机上穿着军装的士兵们表示感谢，感谢他们对国家的付出。她这番令人感动的致辞赢得了乘客们的掌声，人人都在那一刻感到如果没有这样一群勇敢的士兵们，我们没有一个人可以有机会过上现在自己的生活。

But this transcontinental flight turned out to be everything but ordinary. We later learned, when the captain got on the PA system about 45 minutes prior to landing, that we were transporting a fallen soldier. The plane went quiet as he explained that there was a military escort on-board and asked that everyone remain seated for a couple of minutes so the soldiers could get off first. He also warned us not to be alarmed if we see fire trucks since Los Angeles greets their fallen military with a water canon salute.

这一个横跨美洲大陆的航班注定了不平凡。在距离降落还有四十五分钟的时候，机长在广播中说：“有一位牺牲士兵的遗体今天在我们的航班上”，那一刻大家都静下来了，听他继续：原来今天这些士兵们是执行护送战友遗体的任务，机长要求乘客们在降落后继续保留在座位上，让士兵们先下飞机。机长同时警告大家：飞机在机场滑行时如果你看到消防车向飞机开来，请不要紧张，因为洛杉矶市的传统是用水炮向牺牲的军人致敬。

A few minutes after touchdown, we did indeed have a water canon salute, which I’d previously only experienced on happy occasions like inaugural flights. This time, the water glistening on the windowpanes looked like tears.

飞机降落后几分钟，我们真的看到了水炮礼。这种向飞机喷射水炮的仪式我以前只是在新飞机首飞的仪式上见过。这次，飞机窗户上闪烁的水珠，就像眼泪。

I was on the left side of the plane and later realized that the family could be seen off to the right, standing with the United States Army Honor Guard. According to Wikipedia, each military branch has its own honor guard, usually military in nature, and is composed of volunteers who are carefully screened. One of the primary roles for honor guards is to provide funeral honors for fallen comrades.

我在飞机左侧的窗边坐着。不过很快我知道在从右侧我们可以看到美国陆军的仪仗队。根据维基百科介绍，美国每一个军种都有自己的仪仗队，仪仗队成员多是军人，不过也有经过仔细挑选的志愿者。仪仗队的一个主要角色就是为牺牲的军人们的葬礼服务。

When the jet door opened, another military officer addressed the escort who was standing at attention. He then stepped on the plane and told us passengers “I just addressed the escort. It is a sworn oath to bring home, to the family, the fallen.” He paused and then said, “Today you all did that, you are all escorts, escorts of the heart.” And then thanked us for our time and walked off the plane.

当飞机的门打开时，一位军官走进飞机，向站的笔直的护送士兵致辞，然后他走进机舱，对所有的乘客说：“我刚刚向护送士兵们致意。这是（我们军人的）一个誓言：把牺牲的军人带回家，带回给他的家人。” 他停顿了一下，说，“今天，飞机上所有的人都是护送队伍的成员，以心来护送（牺牲的军人）”。他最后再次感谢大家，然后下了飞机。

As you can imagine, everyone was silent and no one got up, not even that person from the back row who pretends he doesn’t [understand] English so he can be first off the plane. I’m sure most had meteor-sized lumps in their throats and tears in their eyes like I did.

可以想象当时的情形：每一个人都静静的，没有人站起来，甚至坐在最后面那位假装自己不懂英文想第一个下飞机的人。我确信在那一刻，绝大多数人和我一样，嗓子眼里堵的慌，泪水在眼里打转。

It only got more emotional when I deplaned. There was a large number of passengers, who are normally in a hurry to get home or make a connection, standing by the window to witness something truly moving. To see the Honor Guard and family waiting patiently, while LAX baggage handlers and a military loadmaster removed the flag covered casket first from the cargo hold, was humbling to say the least. I’m not sure if it was the fallen soldier’s mother or wife who I watched slowly walk up to the coffin while a few other family members, wrapped in blankets, stood near with a dozen or so of the Honor Guards standing in salute.

当我下飞机后，这种情绪更加浓烈。在机场候机厅窗户边，站着一大堆那些平日里着急回家或转机的乘客，都在观看感人的一刻：仪仗队和家人们耐心的等待着洛杉矶机场行李操作工和军队负责装卸的军官，将美国国旗包裹的棺木从货舱里移出来。我不确定那位女士是牺牲军人的母亲或妻子，她慢慢的走向了棺木，其他的家人都和那些致礼的仪仗队站在一起。

As soon as I saw her reach out to put her hand on her baby’s casket, I walked away.

当我看到这位女士的手扶住了她心爱的人儿的棺木，我转身离开了。

This ordinary flight became extraordinary and is one that I will never forget.

这一次普通的空中之旅变得不平凡，我将永远不能忘记。

Thank you to all the military who protect our beautiful country and let us live the lives we are able to lead. Without you we would be nothing. And thank you to the Honor Guard for making sure these fallen soldiers, warriors and heroes are not treated like just any piece of luggage as they used to, but rather with the care and respect they so rightly deserve.

谢谢所有的军人们，你们保卫着这个美丽的国家，让我们能够过上想要的生活。如果没有你们，我们什么都不是。谢谢仪仗队的士兵们，你们确保了这些牺牲的士兵、勇士和英雄们能够有他们应得的呵护和尊严（而不再像以前如同一件行李一样对待）。

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