Honor Wagon to ferry vets' remains at Pittsburgh International Airport

[Chopstick]

Kudos to Mr. Wakeley and Mr. Chamovitz.

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/5009874-74/airport-honor-wagon#axzz2juqhVbhL

When Pittsburgh International Airport workers John Wakeley and Mark Chamovitz realized a change in military policy meant returning caskets would be transported from planes to a hangar to be met by family members, they didn't approve of using an old baggage cart.

“When the (military) told me they were going to put them on a regular baggage cart, it sent shivers down my spine. That's not a dignified way to end a fallen hero's journey,” said Chamovitz, 55, of Mt. Lebanon, an airport operations duty manager. “(The carts) are not in the greatest shape.”

The pair came up with a plan to refurbish a baggage cart into something to honor the remains of fallen soldiers. On Friday, airport officials plan to show off the Honor Wagon during a special ceremony. The Honor Wagon will escort the remains of any military member returning to Pittsburgh International.

The refurbished cart is nearly unrecognizable. Its hollowed center has room for a casket to be placed on rollers. Plexiglass-like windows on both sides protect the casket while allowing it to be seen. The exterior is adorned with logos from all branches of the armed services and has 13 spear points on each side, signifying the original colonies.

The words “Never Forgotten” are inscribed on the rear.

“The flag-draped casket will be visible, and it doesn't matter what the weather is,” said Wakeley, 55, of Hookstown. “We just thought it was the right thing to do.”

 

[racing_kitty]

Damn. That's fucking amazing. Simply. Fucking. Amazing.

 

[Marauder06]

 

[medicchick]

While it is sad that something like this is needed, they did an AWESOME job on it.


When I worked at the airport the FBO next to us had a military casket come in on a plane, the passengers (2 celebrities I have more respect for now)on the private that was schedule to depart our ramp chose to wait until the casket was in the hearse. Granted it only took about 10 minutes, but the fact they (think those involved with BoB) were willing to wait....

 

[Chopstick]

There was an official dedication for this Honor Wagon, yesterday. It rated a small blurb on ones news station here. They had a really nice video on the 6pm news however they have not posted the video online. Its a shame as it was a very nice video and had interviews of the gentlemen that helped build it as well as the folks that donated to the cause along with detailed views of it. This is the only picture they have posted on that website.

http://www.wtae.com/news/local/alle...al/-/10927008/22879462/-/10qadxe/-/index.html