TITLE: A Soldier's Final Flight by Nate Weil By Nate Weil 05/26/08 |
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A Soldier's Final Flight by Nate Weil
As I walk up to the jet, my beloved Raptor, an odd feeling comes over me, like a brisk wind right through my body, giving me goosebumps. I know instantly that this will not be an ordinary flight. With a deep breath I climb up into the plane, into the copilot's seat, and I put my headset on. A moment before the engine was drowning out all other sounds but now all is quiet. I can't even hear the radio communications because this headset is made specially for me and this flight. I can tell. I look over at my pilot and give him the thumbs up. He looks back at me with a smile and I see that my pilot is none other than my Guardian Angel. We both look forward and I notice something else. This jet has a glass cockpit. I can look almost anywhere, unrestricted by plastic and metal.
The plane starts to move, gliding along the ground as if on a cushion of air. We move faster and faster until slowly the ground begins to slip away. I almost don't notice. The ground is so subtle, sneaking away stealthily. Soon the earth is far below. I look up at the impressive cloud cover. The sun filters through in a few places, creating beautiful sun rays. We climb gently but steadily. One thousand feet, two thousand feet, three thousand feet.
Finally we reach the clouds and are immersed in what looks like thick fog. Then, abruptly, we break free of the imprisoning clouds and my breath is stolen. The clouds stretch as far as I can see, all white and of impressive shapes. Terrifying dark cumulus nimbus clouds, often referred to as black anvils, are scattered here and there, dominating the other clouds and seemingly reaching the stars in the sky. I look up at those stars. There are so many of them! Each one shines brightly like an angel, all of them watching over us. Up here the sun is larger, more magnificent. Brilliant rays of light shine in all directions; just like God, bringing life, warmth and light to the earth. Then, the moon. Cold, lifeless, colorless, cruel. Like the devil, it is sitting there, waiting to claim lives forever.
Then, an amazing sight. Out of nowhere, a meteor shower begins. Like a horde of demons desperate to break through and claim souls, the meteors come. Blazing a furious evil red, they appear to be winning. But like Saint Michael and his arch angels, the atmosphere repels each and every one of them, burning them up into nothingness.
During this spectacle the clouds were up to something. Now they are all dark and menacing. The air is warmer, and an occasional flash from below reaches us in our small plane. We are descending rapidly until we reach the clouds. Slipping through a small hole in the clouds all of my senses are overwhelmed. As soon as we burst through the cloud layer, we are immersed in a terrifying storm! I can smell and feel the heat. Huge lightning bolts branch out in every direction, lighting up the menacing scene. Tremendous booms follow, rocking the plane. I can hear clearly now because my headset has disappeared. Rain and hail slam into the seemingly-frail glass cockpit, but it holds and wind rushes by, howling as if in pain.
This terrifying scene continues for what seems like eternity. By the end of it I am cowering in my seat, afraid to look, with my fingers in my ears though it is a futile gesture as the noises are too loud. Everything goes blinding white and extremely hot as a lightning bolt passes nearby. I see what looks like a black angel come from the lightning and straight at me. Frozen with fear, I stare into its dark, evil eyes and it reaches for my chest. Pulling its hands out, it is holding my soul. But as it turns to exit, my guardian angel takes my soul back from the demon and with a horrible shriek, the demon disappears. With a smile, my angel replaces my soul, putting it back where it belongs.
The storm stops. The clouds move off, leaving a beautiful clear blue sky. A glorious rainbow arcs majestically across the sky and the sun shines brighter than ever before. Ahead of us is a gorgeous meadow. Descending now, it is clear that the meadow is our destination. As we approach, I can make out a man standing in the center of the meadow. We touch down, and roll to a stop quickly. We are still a good while away from the man. The angel and I get out and walk toward the man. The air smells of spring, birds are singing in the forest surrounding this small heaven. The colors here are somehow different, more magnificent. Light is emanating from the stranger, and as we draw closer I can see figures dressed in pure white singing and bowing down low to him. Finally we reach him, and stand there for a moment while my life flashes by. Everything I did, from the bad to the good. That time I drank underage, the time I almost committed suicide. But, ending on a high note we also saw the time I got married, and the day I became Christian, the day I joined the air force. I am puzzled for a moment, wondering why I am seeing this but then it hits me. I remember being stationed in Afghanistan, being shot down and captured. The endless torture, and the failed escape. I remember now the order for my execution, being lined up with other prisoners. And finally, I remember my guardian angel waiting to take me up to Heaven's gate. I look at God questioningly, and he nods an affirmative.
With tears in his eyes, but a smile on his face, God says, "Welcome home, soldier."
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