Flying comes with many adventures. You’ve heard it all: stories involving co-passengers or flight attendants, funny encounters with celebrities, charming moments with babies or senior citizens, you name it. Some people are so used to traveling via plane that nothing seems to faze them anymore, not even the bumpiest rides caused by turbulence. Some, no matter how accustomed to flying, can’t keep their guards up when it comes to the unexpected, just like Diane Hollified Cupp of Johnson City, Tennessee.
She and her husband were flying home from Frankfurt, Germany when she witnessed the most touching tribute yet.
The Delta Air Lines flight was traveling from Frankfurt, Germany to Atlanta. What was seemingly just an ordinary flight took an unexpected turn.
The pilot made the announcement that a U.S. Army private would be the first one off the plane as he would be escorting the remains of a World War II soldier.
What followed next brought tears to Diane’s eyes.
Members of the Iowa Ambassadors of Music choir began singing a beautiful rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in honor of the fallen soldier.
The high school choir was traveling back home to Iowa after performing in a series of concerts in Europe. What they did made the rest of the passengers sit up, take notice, and silently pay their respects as the fallen soldier was escorted off the plane.
Diane was so moved by how the choir paid respects and showed honor to the World War II soldier that she decided to record the moment and share what happened.
“On our flight from Germany there was an Army private in uniform that so happen to be escorting the remains of a WWII Soldier back home to Houston. The pilot announced he would be exiting the plane first, as he got up to leave there were a group of young people who had been on tour in Europe all of a sudden they broke out singing Glory Hallelujah. Listen how beautiful!! Will bring a tear to your eye.”
From enjoying a holiday in Europe visiting several preserved World War II sites to being in the same plane as a fallen hero, Cupp realized she was on that flight for a perfect reason.
Diane and her husband weren’t supposed to be on that flight. A medical issue forced them to switch flights, and what they witnessed made them grateful for that sudden change of plans. In an interview with TODAY, Diane shares how she felt when she heard the students singing.
“It was so emotional. I was just so proud of the young people who started singing and the respect that they showed. My heart just melted.”
The proud manner in which the choir sang definitely tugged on the heartstrings of everyone who was fortunate enough to witness it.
“To see those young people do that just melted my heart. It was absolutely beautiful, to see the respect that these kids had, I just had to capture it. It was an awesome treat for me and something I will never forget.”
Diane’s post quickly went viral, prompting thousands of comments from admiring users worldwide:
The choir members not only stood as great examples of how to show respect, but proved that not all millennials are as bad as most people make them out to be.
This gesture will definitely make anyone think twice before generalizing the youth.
Moreover, it will also serve as a solid reminder of just how much soldiers sacrifice to protect the nation and keep everyone safe.
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