While I perusing social media yesterday, I came across a video of the plane leaving DC carrying the flight attendant from the PSA flight that crashed the week before while descending into Reagan International Airport. Flight attendant Ian Epstein wasn't scheduled for the flight he served but had switched shifts with another attendant so they could play golf. What I have read and seen about Mr. Epstein's life was nothing short of inspirational, and I know his wife and family are immensely proud of the man and employee he was. I came upon the water cannon salute on social media, which I did not know existed before watching the video. It was a stunning, peaceful, respectful video, and I immediately started researching to learn more.
A Water Cannon Salute is normally performed for pilots and air traffic controllers on their last flights before retirement. Two firetrucks position themselves across from each other so their water cannons spray together over the plane as it heads to the tarmac for takeoff. The video I watched was incredible, with the water spray pouring over the plane as it pulled under the shower of water as it departed. I find it amazing and so loving that Mr. Epstein received this beautiful send-off as he made his way home to Charlotte, North Carolina.
In a time when we as a nation are struggling, this video and this tribute truly warmed my heart and brought me to tears. As Mister Rogers would say, we need to look towards the helpers, focus on the good, and keep our hearts and prayers intact. As awful and tragic as this whole event was, things like the water cannon salute are beautiful and a reminder that we all pull together in a crisis to honor those who served us well. Maybe it was in the military, or perhaps it was by sitting with us as our life ends.
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