In 2011, a group of dedicated maintenance and engineering team members embarked on a mission to ensure proper military protocols were observed in handling the remains of fallen military service members. Thus, the Fallen Soldier Program was born. This program stands as a beacon of honor and respect, providing specially customized carts ingeniously crafted by skilled technicians at 15 airports across the nation. These carts serve as solemn conveyances, facilitating the respectful transport of military service members’ remains to and from aircraft. When a flag-draped casket is flown on Alaska Airlines, it receives the utmost priority, being the first item unloaded from the plane and delicately placed onto a Fallen Soldier Cart. Passengers on board are respectfully requested to remain seated until the fallen service member’s escort or family has disembarked the aircraft. Many passengers choose to honor this request by remaining seated until the casket is respectfully removed, though it is not obligatory. Meanwhile, on the tarmac, ramp agents and maintenance technicians stand in solemn reverence, paying homage to the fallen hero. The Alaska’s Fallen Soldier Program team recently organized a touching ceremony to honor the final journey of Naval Chief Petty Officer Richard Clyde Higgins. His remains were conveyed aboard our ‘Honoring Those Who Serve’ aircraft from Portland, Oregon, to his final resting place in Southern California, where he was laid to rest beside his wife. Higgins’ family, along with our passengers and employees, witnessed the poignant and dignified passage of this esteemed hero. At the remarkable age of 102, Higgins, among the few remaining survivors of Pearl Harbor, leaves behind a legacy of bravery and selflessness. In 2023, Alaska employees commemorated a significant milestone by delivering the 15th cart in the Fallen Soldier Program to Spokane, Washington. As we continue our commitment to honoring our fallen heroes, our next cart is scheduled for delivery to Nashville International Airport in late June. Crafted with care by a dedicated team from Alaska’s Maintenance and Engineering department, the carts of the Fallen Soldier Program stand ready at airports across the nation. These solemn conveyances are not limited to any specific branch of the military; rather, they are available to honor members and veterans from all branches. While these carts are stationed under Alaska’s care at each airport, they are made available for use by any airline when transporting the remains of fallen service members, symbolizing a collective commitment to honoring those who have served our country with bravery and sacrifice. Alaska Airlines is proud to introduce our fourth Honoring Those Who Serve aircraft, dedicated to members of the US military and honoring both current and past servicemembers. This aircraft’s design features a red stripe and blue body, incorporating elements of the American flag. The phrase ‘Honoring Those Who Serve’ is prominently displayed on the fuselage, alongside symbolic crests representing the Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Program. Additionally, an ‘Alaska Airlines Salutes’ medallion near the nose of the aircraft pays tribute to the six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. The six stars, along with the six stripes on the engine cowls, symbolize each branch’s dedication to service and sacrifice. Alaska Airlines is dedicated to providing exceptional care for our military guests, prioritizing their needs on every flight. We express profound gratitude for the dedication of active duty military personnel and veterans and acknowledge the sacrifices they and their families endure for our collective well-being.
Alaska Airlines’ Fallen Soldier Program: Honoring Our Nation’s Heroes
