How MIA honors fallen soldiers returning home Photo Gallery by Sunbird Photos by Don Boyd at pbase.com

How MIA honors fallen soldiers returning home

These images depict the arrival of a fallen American Army soldier, Sgt. Phillip D. McNeill, 22, of Sunrise, Florida, arriving at Miami International Airport (MIA) this morning, January 24, 2007, onboard American Airlines flight 971. Bravo Zulu to all the folks who participated in honoring and rendering their respect during this solemn occasion.

This is the Department of Defense news release regarding Sergeant McNeill's death:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 075-07 - January 23, 2007 - DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Jan 20 in Karma, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near their Humvee. The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne), 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. Killed were:

Sgt. Sean P. Fennerty, 25, of Corvallis, Ore., Sgt. Phillip D. McNeill, 22, of Sunrise, Fla.,
Spc. Jeffrey D. Bisson, 22, of Vista, Calif., Spc. Toby R. Olsen, 28, of Manchester, N.H.

Click on the name image below to read a Miami Herald article about Sgt. McNeill. His photo and the story are located at: < http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/obituaries/16538899.htm

Miami Herald article on the death of Sergeant Phillip McNeill	MIA personnel waiting for the fallen soldier's arrival, photo #2109	MIA ARFF units waiting for the fallen soldier's flight to arrive, photo #2110	MIA ARFF units honor the return of a fallen soldier with a water cannon salute photo #2113	Flight 971 under Miami-Dade Police escort to the gate photo #2115
MIA personnel honor the return of a fallen soldier photo #2116	MIA personnel honor the return of a fallen soldier photo #2119	Miami-Dade Police, Miami-Dade Fire, and U. S. Customs Border Patrol honor the return of a fallen soldier photo #2120	American Airlines personnel lowering the fallen soldier's casket photo #2122	Fallen soldier's casket being off-loaded from flight photo #2123
Fallen soldier being offloaded from flight photo #2124	American Airlines crew chief salutes the fallen soldier, photo #2125	MIA personnel honor the return of a fallen soldier photo #2126	MIA personnel honor the return of a fallen soldier photo #2127	MIA personnel honor the return of a fallen soldier photo #2128
MIA personnel honor the return of a fallen soldier photo #2129	MIA personnel honor the return of a fallen soldier photo #2130	Miami-Dade Police escort the fallen soldier photo #2131	Miami-Dade Police escort the fallen soldier photo #2132	Miami-Dade Police escort the fallen soldier photo #2133
Miami-Dade Police escort the fallen soldier photo #2134

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Breezy		26-Aug-2014 03:40
As a Flight attendant had many of these flights. Military Escort in Cabin and Body in the belly of the aircraft.........................Gail Bair. Just found this page. Viet Nam War Was so tragic. Families saying goodbye one day...............next day our flight took the fallen back to watch the horrible pain these families suffered.

CHRISTIAN R SANCHEZ		27-Jun-2009 19:31
THANK YOU VERY MUCH MIAMIDADE POLICE FOR YOUR SUPPORT I AM REALLY PROUD TO BE FROM MIAMI DADE COUNTY AS RIGHT NOW I AM SERVING IN IRAQ AND IT IS REALLY NICE TO KNOW THE MIAMI DADE POLICE IS SUPPORTING THE FAMILIES OF FALLEN SOLDIERS THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Guest		15-Jun-2009 02:40
Thank you very much for everyone that showed their respects to my dearest friend , Phillip McNeill at MIA Airport. When I first viewed these photos in March 07 I cried. They are so beautiful, if I would have known his body was transported through MIA Airport, I certainly would have been there as well, but thank you for what you all did in the midst of his loved ones' absence. I personally felt downhearted, after Phil was killed in Iraq, that he didn't get to see Florida again one last time. He was here with us though...one last time. Godbless all of those who have fought, are fighting, and have fallen for this country I am grateful to live in. Remember all of these heroes and their sacrifice to us.....and my deepest of blessings to all those Veterans who think they have been forgotten...you have NOT been forgotten and my wish is that they are taken care of for what they have done for us. I see homeless Veterans on the street, yet there are hotels with vacancy; they deserve a warm place to sleep and food to eat, there needs to be change. I love you all and thank you again and again. Phil, I miss you still, and love you. Everytime I look at your name tattooed on my forearm I smile and feel a little stronger knowing your watching from above. love always Heather Tutone

Guest		06-Jan-2009 19:46
This article is a fantastic story about a fantastic group of Americans. I certainly hope all is true; I would hate to think this is another "urban legend." Our service people are the best in the world. We know it. They know it. The world knows it. I hope all Americans, and freedom loving people, will honor their Active Duty, Reserve, Retired, and veterans. The USA is the greatest example of society and civilization the world has ever known. I am so proud of who we are and for what we represent. Michael Henderson, Commander, Retired. Tampa, FL

Melissa		24-Feb-2008 20:50
I was waiting at an American Airlines gate for departure to SFO on Friday, February 22, 2007 when MIA personnel received the arrival of an American Soldier(s) exactly as depicted here. As the mother of an Army soldier currently serving our country for a 2nd tour in Iraq, the scene was particulary painful and incredibly moving. What a sacrifice our soldiers and their familes are making. Thank you Miami for recognizing the sacrifice and honoring our fallen.

Guest		04-Dec-2007 03:02
It is because of wonderful people like MIA, that this family did not have to endure the gut wrenching pain of seeing their fallen soldier's, flagless coffin, being paraded in front of them at the airport on a forklift, with two guys steering the forklift snickering and laughing. Please continue to do this, every fallen soldier should always be met with honor and respect. Mom of a fallen soldier

Kevin Dougherty		03-Nov-2007 23:49
I'd like everyone who visits this site to know that these details were never intended to become publicized media events. The police personnel at MIA were rendering honors to the deceased, not trying to make a political statement. The details began when Department of Defense personnel were having difficulty accessing the Air Operations Area (AOA) to receive the military remains according to their regulations. We facilitated that for them. For some of the arrivals, family members were present and we tried to assist them in their very trying time. When family was not present, we tried to fill that gap for the deceased. We did not want the military remains to be alone after their sacrifice for us. Every arrival was escorted by a member of the brance of the deceased, as required by DOD regulations. When there wasn't an Honor Guard, we attempted to do as good a job. When there was an Honor Guard from the deceased's branch, we just tried to add numbers from a grateful citizenry. The same MDPD officers who participated in these details, also provide assistance to the US Secret Service for all Presidential and Vice Presidential visits to MIA. We proudly support the President in his eforts to defend the country from international terrorism. Please support our military and our Country's leaders. Kevin Dougherty, Sergeant (retired) Miami-Dade Police Department Airport District - ICT

Guest		11-Feb-2007 18:26
Roger & Fran Both the fallen and the surviving (if you can call it that when they come home complete in spirit and incomplete physically) should always be honored and respected by the rest of us. Thanks to the MIA and Miami Dade First Responders for their beautiful effort!

Chandler		11-Feb-2007 00:48
I am glad the people at MIA and American Airlines are doing something for our fallen soldiers than the US government under orders from the draft dodger Bush who keeps people away from Dover Airforce Base. He doesn't want the American public to see what his dirty war has brought to American families.

Hector F. Schwerert		31-Jan-2007 16:39
Well done. Congratulations to the men and women's of the MIami Dade Police Department for a job well done, as well as to the Director of the department, as a former Viet-Nam era vet, I;m very proud to be a Dade County resident, it was really moving, God Bless America.

Ruth Nelson		29-Jan-2007 14:29
Thank you so much for these pictures. There are so sad, yet it makes me proud to be an American. I only wish that the Veterans who are still alive would be treated with more dignity. (My dad is a Vietnam Veteran) I see so many injustices, for those who are still alive and fought for us. Thanks again!!

Don M. Ely USAF Msgt (ret)		25-Jan-2007 22:56
Miami - Dade Police really know how to honor the Fallen Soldier. I don't know of any other such honors at the arrival airport. Moving! This brings tears to my eyes.

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