From our partner's newsroom:
Alaska Airlines unveiled a custom-designed Fallen Soldier Cart for the Portland International Airport (PDX) during a ceremonial hand‑off to honor our nation’s military heroes on their final journey. This marks the 20th cart created by Alaska Airlines Maintenance & Engineering employees as part of the airline’s ongoing commitment to honor fallen service members. This is the second cart stationed at the airport.
The Fallen Soldier Cart provides a solemn and dignified way to transport the remains of fallen service members to and from aircraft. Available to all airlines operating at PDX, the cart stands as a shared symbol of respect, remembrance and care for service members and their families.
“It is our honor to bring this additional Fallen Soldier Cart to Portland and continue caring for fallen military members and their families with the dignity, respect and gratitude they deserve,” said Brian Bowden, founder and organizer of the Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Program. “The program ensures active-duty and veteran military members are treated with the utmost care in recognition of their service and sacrifice. Our goal is to place a Fallen Soldier Cart at every airport served by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and Hawaiian Airlines.”
The cart stationed at Portland International Airport features unique designs that include:
- An interior rendering of the state of Oregon, embedded with the state seal, and a plaque depicting the Portland skyline, honoring the cart’s permanent home at PDX.
- A blue-painted exterior with the PDX airport code and American flag curtains.
- Emblems representing all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force.
“I am honored to accept the new Fallen Soldier Cart on behalf of Portland International Airport, and thankful for our Alaska Airlines partners who made it possible,” said Port of Portland Chief Aviation Officer Dan Pippenger, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. "This program affirms our airport community's commitment to honoring the service and sacrifice of our military members, veterans, and their families, ensuring they can travel home with the utmost respect and dignity."
Launched in 2011 by Alaska Airlines employees, the Fallen Soldier Program follows military protocols for the respectful handling of fallen service members. The program honors fallen service members, supports their families and reflects the airline’s longstanding commitment to the military community.
