SPOKANE - An effort started by a group working with Alaska Airlines will soon be made available to all airlines at Spokane International Airport.
The Fallen Soldier Group at Alaska Airlines is a group of volunteers who ensure the fallen men and women of the military are treated with honor and respect when being transported by Alaska Airlines.
This year the procession will be escorted by the Washington Patriot Guard riders according to Chuck Lashley, Assistant State Captain of the riders.
The group will travel nearly 500 miles between September 15 and 16.
“We are always doing what we can to ensure lost soldiers are honored and treated with respect during transport,” Lashley said. “Now there is a cart that will be taken to Spokane International Airport to be utilized by the airlines.”
It is their goal to make the military escorts and families of the fallen as comfortable as possible during their trip on Alaska Airlines aircraft.
Lashley also said the group will travel hundred of miles across eastern Washington to visit area cemeteries, and then on to Lincoln County for a special presentation.
A network of volunteers are contacted when a Fallen Soldier will be transported by Alaska Airlines.
After notification the process begins and the Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Protocol is followed.
Part of the process is the respectful transfer of the fallen to and from the aircraft.
Volunteers in Seattle are building a patriotic baggage cart for the Spokane International Airport. The cart will travel from SeaTac, WA. to Spokane, for a presentation and delivery to Spokane International Airport where it will be available for use by all airlines.
On September 16th 2023 at 10:45 AM the Fallen Soldier Cart procession will stop at the Reardan City Park 205 S Oak St, Reardan WA.
There the group will conduct a heroes presentation in the honor of Reardan’s own World War Two Medal of Honor recipient Joe Mann.
Matthew graduated from West Virginia University-Parkersburg in 2011 with a journalism degree. He's an award-winning photographer and enjoys writing stories about people.
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