NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A custom-designed cart honoring fallen active and veteran military members arrived in Nashville on Wednesday.
For the first time, the Nashville International Airport (BNA) has a cart solely dedicated to carrying fallen soldiers' remains to and from flights. The cart will help make sure military protocols are followed and heroes get the respect they deserve.
Launched in May 2011, the Fallen Soldier program was started by Alaska Airlines employees after they noticed that some veterans received different transfer treatment than active fallen service members.
"They are not cargo. This is somebody's loved one and they are a veteran," Daniel Brosch, part of the Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Program, said. "The purpose of this cart is to make sure there is never a time where they are treated like cargo."
On the airfield, one cart is now solely reserved for fallen heroes. Every time an active, reserve or retired military member's remains need a transfer to their final resting place, staff will offer the fallen soldier cart.
U.S. Navy Veteran Roy Campbell's remains were the first to be transferred via the cart from Seattle to Nashville to be laid to rest at Valley Forge.
"Their sacrifice wasn't for nothing. People respect and honor their service no matter who they were — the fighter pilot or the janitor," Brosch said.
The cart's arrival on Wednesday honors the fallen and serves as a reminder of the ongoing support owed to both those who have served and continue to serve.
For Brosch, this cart means that no service member or family will feel underappreciated or undervalued.
"We are going to celebrate the life of the loved one and we are going to support this family when it's difficult," Brosch said. "Believe me, sometimes it's difficult, but we want to be there for them. When there is no family for a veteran, Alaska Airlines is committed to being that family for the day."
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Brosch said the hand-crafted cart took almost half a year to create.
"When the unfortunate happens, and they've got to come home in a cart as beautiful as this, it makes me proud," Gold Star mother Elizabeth Johnson said.
The cart features the archway to the Nashville National Cemetery, the state flag and all six military branches.
"I think him seeing the way it makes us feel, he would be very grateful," Rya Johnson, daughter of Gold Star survivor Corporal Jeremiah Jewel Johnson, explained.
Brosch told News 2 that these carts are available for any airline and are meant to be used for years to come.
"Stations like Seattle, it's happening two, sometimes three times a week," Brosch said. "Stations like LA, I may get three in a week or none in 6 months."
"Some of these stations located next to air bases or military establishments it is more than you would care to think about," Brosch added.
Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier's goal for the year was to deliver two carts. At this time, only one is anticipated to be delivered.
"Depending on parts and availability half the year, we are building this cart," Brosch said. "It's not an easy process. There are decals on top, and all these things are handmade."
Brosch told News 2 that the ultimate goal is to put a cart everywhere Alaska Airlines flies. There are 16 carts throughout the country. For family members like Rya, carts like these give hope.
"It just brings me a lot of comfort, and it gives me hope that everyone will be honored in the way they should be," Rya said.