Fallen Soldier Cart stationed at Nashville airport for military members: 'A sight to see'

Sirens wail in the distance, signaling to guests at Nashville International Airport that the sacred Fallen Soldier cart is on the way.

As the sirens echo louder, the crowd files in a line on the edge of the hangar entrance, readying their phones to record the opening moment.

Davidson County Sheriff vehicles swiftly enter through the outside gates, with over a dozen Patriot Guard Riders following behind. The cart is enclosed with a protective cover displaying the fallen soldier emblem, a soldier kneeling in front of boot with a rifle inside, topped with a helmet.

For over ten years, the Alaska Airline’s Fallen Soldier Program has stationed Fallen Soldier Carts at 15 airports across the country to carry the remains of soldiers who have died as they are departing or arriving at BNA.

On Wednesday, Alaska Airlines, in partnership with BNA and Atlantic Aviation, hosted a hand-off ceremony to station the 16th Fallen Soldier Cart at Nashville airport. Any time a military service member dies — veteran or active duty — and is transferred to Nashville, their remains can be transported by any airline in a custom-made cart to honor their sacrifice.

"It's hard to see the sacrifice from the outside, and I think it's important to remember that not only did [the fallen] do the important work, but also that they did it on your behalf," said ceremony guest Specialist Claire Michaels, who serves in the 204 Army Band in Vancouver, Washington. "Then you can take part in their service and recognize their sacrifice as well."

'To honor all fallen military members'

Painted royal blue with American flag curtains on both sides, the cart presents an insignia of all six branches of the military, including the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force. The vessel's interior floor is lined with red carpet and features an airbrushed memorial of the Nashville National Cemetery and the Tennessee state flag.

Alaska Airlines maintenance employees have crafted all the Fallen Soldier Carts and customized them to reflect the city's airport.

Families of loved ones who die while on active duty, known as Gold Star Families, applauded with visible emotion alongside airline offices, BNA personnel and other guests when the cart was revealed.

To begin the ceremony, Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Program spokesperson Don Brosch talked about the significance of the cart and the program’s overall mission.

In 2011, a group of Alaska Airlines' maintenance and engineering workers founded the Fallen Soldier Program to ensure proper military protocols are followed when handling the remains of military service members.

The idea was initiated after realizing “short falls” in their process of transporting the remains of military service members, says Brosch.

“Come to find out, the short falls were in everybody's process. If you were an active or combat veteran, you did not receive the honor in which we thought all veterans deserve," he said.

The team strives to always keep the carts in pristine condition to honor the fallen and their families with a dignified travel vessel. New protective covers are being made so when the cart is in use it’s "a sight to see” and passengers understand its purpose, Brosch said.

Specialist Michaels serves in the Army Band part time, and she has another job as a flight attendant for Horizon Air. Seeing both sides of the coin, she understands why the cart is meaningful for those in active duty and Gold Star families.

“Just to know that the sacrifice of the service member is seen and honored and remembered is a blessing. It means a lot,” she said.

The Patriot Guard Riders travelled eight days, through 10 states, to escort BNA’s Fallen Soldier Cart from SeaTac, Washington, to Nashville. On this expedition, the cart held an American flag in honor of Gold Star families and the cremated remains of U.S. Navy veteran, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Roy Campbell.

The Patriot Guard Riders held a transfer ceremony at BNA to escort his remains to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where he’ll be laid to rest.

Adam Floyd, senior vice president and chief operating officer of BNA is a veteran himself after serving 21 years in the Coast Guard.

“I think the only word I can say right now is wow,” Floyd said. “I speak for all of us at the airport when I share how honored we are to receive the Alaska Airlines next fallen-soldier cart.”

BNA employs over 60 veterans on staff and Floyd says their spirit of service mirrors their time in the armed forces.

“This cart will be used to honor all fallen military members who pass through our airport, ensuring that their final journey is marked with the respect that they deserve for their service,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Fallen Soldier Cart stationed at Nashville airport for military members: 'A sight to see'