AA honors Medal of Honor recipients
American Airlines team
members reaffi rmed their
commitment to our nation’s
military with annual events
paying tribute to Medal of
Honor recipients. The events
culminated with a charter
fl ight carrying 26 recipients
and their families to
Washington, D.C., Saturday
30 AIRPORT VOICE, APRIL 2019
to attend National Medal
of Honor Day events and
activities.
“American Airlines and
our more than 130,000 team
members are proud to partner
with the Congressional
Medal of Honor Society to
pay tribute to the service and
sacrifi ce of the recipients of
our nation’s highest military
award for valor in combat,”
said David Seymour, Senior
Vice President of Integrated
Operations at American and
graduate of the United States
Military Academy at West
Point. “Our long-standing
commitment to veterans and
their families is unwavering.
Many of our team members,
including the pilots who
fl ew the charter fl ight, are
veterans and know fi rsthand
the dedication and sacrifi ce
required of those who serve.”
The recognitions began
Friday evening when the
Medal of Honor recipients
and their guests attended
the Congressional Medal of
Honor Foundation’s annual
Circle of Honor Gala in
Manhattan which celebrated
their courage, selfl ess service
and patriotism.
The honorable guests
received a hero’s send off
Saturday at John F. Kennedy
International Airport (JFK).
The departing Heros were
welcomed by the Pipes and
Drum Corps of the NYFD
and PAPD. The receiving
red carpet was lined with
NY State Troopers, along
with service men and women
who greeted the men as they
made their way to Gate 12
which is used for very special
events such as these. After
more accolades from AA
management, crew, friends
and associates they boarded
an Airbus 321T bound for the
nation’s capital. Upon arrival
at Ronald Reagan Washington
National Airport (DCA), the
veterans’ plane was greeted
with a water cannon salute and
hundreds of team members
and supporters were at the
gate to welcome the heroes
to Washington. Recipients
and their families were then
escorted to a special dinner
hosted by American in their
honor at the Ritz-Carlton
Pentagon City.
Photos by Jeff Yapalater
Recipient of Congressional Medal of Honor, Barney Barnum.
Congressional Medal of Honor
recipient, Bruce Crandall, met by a
local veteran.
Congressional Medal of Honor
recopient Drew Dix reciprocates a
salute from a member of the NYS
Police.