January 30, 2012

Gary Frankly Speaking

“A Ministry of Presence”

On January 18 I got a call from Lisa in the DFW Chaplaincy office. An American Eagle gate agent was being notified by the Marine death notification team of her son’s death in Afghanistan, and I was the nearest chaplain available to support the mother. I didn’t know any of the details of his death, but I knew what to do. I did whatever they needed me to do. I prayed with them and then drove them from the chapel in Terminal B to their car in the Terminal D parking garage.

On CBS11 news the following Tuesday night she gave a moving tribute to her son. She said, “I don’t want my son slinking into the country like he has something to be ashamed of. I want it shouted from the rooftops that my son Phillip – Corporal Phillip Daine McGeath – died very honorably, by a cowardly suicide bomber.” The next day I called to commend her for her strength and courage during this whole ordeal. I continued to offer my prayers and assistance in any way I might serve. She told me that they would be flying Phillip’s body in on Thursday and I would be welcome to join them at the airport. She gave me the name of the funeral director in charge of arrangements and the Marine sergeant who was assigned as their casualty assistance officer. I called both of them and received information and instructions about what would happen and when. Then I contacted the DFW Airport Interfaith Chaplaincy office and spoke to the head chaplain.

When I arrived at the airport the next day, I met Head Chaplain D. D. Hayes and rode with him to the Corporate Aviation terminal on the north side of the airport. Members of the Patriot Guard Riders were already assembling, lining their motorcycles along the fence next to the apron. Inside a detail of Marines were standing around in their dress uniforms. They would be the Honor Guard which would bear the Cpl. McGeath’s casket from the airplane to the hearse.

Chaplain Hayes and I went to a large meeting room on the west side of the terminal building where the family gathered waiting for the plane to arrive from Dover, Delaware. I introduced Chaplain Hayes to the family, and he visited with them for a while as we awaited the planes arrival at 14:00 hours. Shortly, Sgt. “G”, the casualty assistance officer, came in and told the family that the plane had landed in Iowa with electrical problems and would not be arriving on schedule.

I cannot imagine how painful it must have been for this mother and family to hear not only that the plane had had electrical problems, but that their wait for the body of their son would be extended. Chaplain Hayes had a speaking engagement that evening and couldn’t stay with the family. He asked me if I could stay. I said I could.

Several updates gave various times of arrival, each one getting later. The final ETA was 18:30 hours or 6:30 p.m. At 6:00 p.m. we were told that the plane was on the ground at DFW and would be taxiing to the Corporate Aviation terminal. Shortly thereafter we were escorted onto the apron where the Marine Honor Guard was already gathered.

The private jet came around the building and followed directions to its parking space. After what seemed like a rather long time, the side hatch was opened. The corporal’s brother and widow, who had been escorting the coffin, climbed out of the plane and then the casket was removed and carried by the Honor Guard to the awaiting hearse.

The family returned to the terminal, but my duties weren’t over yet. Before the delays, they had planned to pick up a family friend arriving from Kansas City. But now they had to follow the processional to the funeral home. I once again was available to provide a ministry of presence to this family. I could pass through the TSA checkpoint and meet the waiting passenger at her gate.

When I met her she confessed that she was afraid of getting lost. I told her that it was no problem; that’s why DFW Airport has the chaplaincy program. We made our way to my car and headed out of the airport down 360 toward Arlington Funeral Home. I told her that we might catch the processional. Traveling down Division Street, I pointed out Cowboys Stadium. Then she noticed a procession of flashing lights just to the east of the stadium. Because of the route which they had taken, we actually arrived at the funeral home just in time for her to see the processional and greet the family as they got out of their cars.

The Mission of the DFW Airport Interfaith Chaplaincy is “to be a ministry of presence, spiritual counseling, and personal support to the DFW International Airport community at large, providing places of worship and reflection for people of all faiths and religious traditions.” Whenever I serve in that capacity, I let people know that my full-time ministry is right here at 106 N. Main. Thank you for giving me this special opportunity to serve.