A rare, solemn silence lingers over a normally bustling flightline. The stillness of the runway temporarily fades as a vehicle slowly bypasses spectators rendering salutes and clutching their hands over their hearts, awaiting troops returning from combat.
Coming to a halt, the automobile unveils six service members, but instead of walking out to fanfare for a heroes’ welcome, these members were transported by pallbearers in a United Nations Command flag wrapped casket and recognized for their ultimate sacrifice: dying from the Korean War in the wake of the conflict’s 70th Anniversary.