With one flight down, we arrive in Dallas. Exhausted. Emotionally and physically drained. As we land, the Pilot of the plane asks everyone to remain seated to let us off first. The people around us had no idea we were the ones who the pilot was talking about. It was the most silent I’ve ever heard a plane. Everyone just watched as we exited. Not knowing what to do or say. 

As we pull onto the tarmac, we see the firetrucks. They have the water cannons on and you can see the welcoming team from our windows. Levi is the first to exit the plane, as his Escort he is to never leave his side.

We were escorted out the side of the plane and were able to be on the tarmac to see Seth unloaded and put back on the same kind of cart as in Alaska. This time, we didn’t leave his side. We stayed in a special holding area where we were able to sit with Seth. The special thing about the Dallas airport is, it is the main hub of transporting veterans and active duty service members to their final resting place. The team at the Dallas airport were so kind. So humble. They took our emotions to heart. They felt our pain. 

They provided a Chaplin to sit and talk with us. He prayed. Cried. Laughed at our stories of Seth. He felt the love we had for him. We all stayed so close to him and never left his side. The feeling of knowing your loved one is right there, but you can’t see them or hold them, is literally the worst feeling.

The layover in Dallas went by quickly. Before we knew it, it was time to watch them escort Seth out and us board the plane. All the feelings came rushing back. The sadness. The heartbreak. All the raw emotions were back and hit so hard all over again. The respect that was shown, Veterans out on the tarmac, escorting Seth to and from the plane, it is inspiring and so very beautiful.

The Pilot once again prepares the plane, they are a part of an Honor Flight, bringing Staff Sgt. Seth Plant to his final stop in Jacksonville. Our seats were all apart from each other. After the announcement, travelers moved around to ensure we sat together.  Mike and Joy together. Gini, Amber and Levi together.

As we descended into Jacksonville we all became so quiet. We sat and tried to prepare ourselves for the procession that was about to happen. We all held hands. All with pits in our stomachs, waiting for what came next.

As we landed in Jacksonville the water cannons were shot above the plane again. The pilot came across the speaker and asked everyone to remain seated. He explained that the Solider had returned home to his final resting place and his family was on the plane and more family waiting for him on the tarmac. As we stood everyone began to clap and show such emotions as we exited the plane. Many cried, some grabbed our hands on the way the way out, telling us they were so sorry, and were praying for us. The shutters on the windows remained down. We walked onto the tarmac and that’s when the weight of the lat 9 days hit us. We aren’t alone any more, we have support again.

We are home, our completed our mission. We fought to bring him home with us, and now we are back with our family.

Sophia ran to Amber, crying. Crying so hard she sank into my body. Gabby followed, crying, but so confused. Jax didn’t know what to think. He knew something big happened, but didn’t really know what. 

We see our Uncles, Aunts, Grandmothers and cousins. All were there waiting for us, ready to help carry the load of what we had been experiencing for the last week and a half. 

We all hugged. We all cried uncontrollably. A cry of complete brokenness. A cry of pain and hurt. A cry of exhaustion. We prayed, we gathered around Seth surrounding him with our love. We all laid our hands on his casket. Just wanting to be near him. 

Here, at Jacksonville International Aiirport is where we began our final step of our journey in getting our boy home. 

We had no clue to what we were about to experience. The love. The support. The people who stood on the roads and showed their love for Seth. It was overwhelming. It was an event no one can truly put into words at what we saw and felt. 

The Procession took some planning. We had so many friends with contacts with the Police Departments. Gini connected with a dear friend with the City of St. Augustine Fire, and planning began in Alaska. The Officer called and said “What can we do, we want to be a part of this”.

We began planning a route to be approved by all counties. We wanted to drive him through Starke, the place he spent his childhood, where our family still lives, then one last drive along the beach, through St. Augustine.

We had no idea of the magnitude, the force, that the St. Johns, Duval, Bradford and Clay County Police and Fire Department had planned for this day.

As we made our way off the tarmac, we see the police presence. We see Freedom Riders, we see his friends lining the road, ready to follow us the entire way. It wasn’t until we entered the interstate that we notice, each and every exit is blocked off. No one enters the road. All other cars are pulled to the side, to allow us to drive down the middle.

For miles, people lined the roads. With handmade signs and flags, waiting for us to pass so they could pay their respects. It is hard to describe with words. Seeing roads lined with our friends, family and strangers from Jacksonville to Starke to St. Augustine, it was just amazing. Our family could never thank the Community enough for what they have done to rally around us and bring him home.

Cars are pulled over left and right on the interstate. Hundreds of Officers on motorcycles pass us, continuing to clear the road ahead. Those working along side the road, are stopped, hats across their chest as we pass by.

It is unlike anything I have ever seen. These strangers, rallied together, held meetings, made calls, and kept in contact with our family to give Seth the biggest Welcome Home, in the most honorable way possible.

We will share a few videos on our Facebook page, Say When and Remember Him.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the Honor and Respect shown to Seth, we love you all.