Escort Stories
Hector’s Home Coming
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Hector leaving JFK for his home in the
Dominican Republic
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When I met Hector, a 10 year old, on December 20, 2011, we connected immediately. He seemed very excited to meet me and to be able to go home after undergoing multiple surgeries and on-going medical treatment at Shriners Boston Children’s Hospital.
On that day, he couldn’t travel due to a passport situation. This was corrected and on December 21st, at about 07:00 am, Hector was checked in for his home coming flight #1749 from New York’s JFK to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. I spent about half an hour talking to his mom, Maria Teresa, and shortly after he said good-bye to his mother.
Once, he was under my escort care, we went for a walk and tour of the airport. We took some pictures, bought some goodies and a bottle of water for him. Shortly after, I needed to sign in for our flight, we proceeded and I took Hector to JFK operations and he met the JFK MOD personnel, Ms. Yota Panatoya, Mr. Rick Taveras and other co-workers. Mr. Taveras helped me greatly in following his flight status and reassigned him to a better seat on the flight. When we went to the purser’s room and I gave him a tour and explained to him what flight attendants do before flights, etc.
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Hector would like to study civil engineering
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On our way to the gate, we took more pictures and by that time our bonding was a solid one. Hector is a very gifted child, very smart and very energetic. He expressed that he wants to become a civil engineer when he grows up. He was so happy that one of his dreams was about to come true, Hector’s home coming flight. Once we reached the gate I was able to re confirm his travel and I was able to accommodate him in Business Class. Once he boarded the flight, he met the entire crew. He was so excited in meeting the flight crew. Once seated in 3J, Hector didn’t stop smiling. I showed him how to use the seat and personal video features.
Our flight, left on time and his journey was smooth. During flight, Hector ate breakfast, watched some cartoons and listened to music. After a while, he took a nap for about 20 minutes or so. He woke up and I asked him to come to the business class galley with me. At that time the crew was offering duty free to our customers. I asked Hector “Do you know how to read the time? He replied “Yes, my father taught me”. Then, I asked him “Do you have a watch?" He said “no”, so I surprised him with a model of an AA airplane, children’s watch. He was very surprised, you could tell by looking at his eyes that were full of joy. I put his watch on and he gave me a big thank you hug. By this time, our bonding now turned into a best friend status. He was so thankful and happy throughout the entire journey. By the same token, I felt the same way towards Hector. I was looking at him as if he was my very own son.
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At about 45 minutes before landing, I gave Hector another tour of the Boeing 777 aircraft, I showed him the crew bunks and showed him the galley features. Shortly after, I made the UNICEF’s announcements to our customers, and Hector was willing to help me out to collect donations (at that time he was informed of what UNICEF stands for). Hector and I, went
through the aisle and as usual, and remarkably on these flights, customers donated very much. Hector’s contagious smiling made customers happy to see him collecting for UNICEF. Later on, Hector was contemplating the skies and clouds; we talked, laughed and took more pictures.
Once we landed in Santo Domingo and customers deplaned, I took Hector to the cockpit, Captain Hitpas, allowed him to seat in the Captains seat. Hector was amazed with the control panels, buttons, etc. then took more pictures of him wearing the captain’s hat. Once completed with his last tour in the cockpit, we proceeded to deplane and to clear immigration and customs in the Dominican Republic. We collected the luggage then exited to meet his father Mr. Hector Genao and his siblings. Hector ran and embraced his father, sisters and cousins. Hector’s home coming was a success and very emotional.
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Rolando Vazquez and Hector in the cockpit
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Hector is a role model and a good example to all of us. He will have many more surgeries in the near future. Hector embraced me with a another thank you hug and hand shake by saying “ I want you, Rolando to be my escort on future travels”. I got teary eyes when I heard this word coming from a 10 year old who was so tragically burned in a house fire in the Dominican Republic when he was a year old. Hector had for about 15 surgeries in the United States; I believe that he will be a great civil engineer in the future with God’s will. Hector’s father and family thanked me many times. We said good-bye; Hector smiled and hugged me once again.
Upon landing at JFK, I called Hector’s mother to inform her of Hector’s back home journey. She thanked me many times for taking care of her son.
Finally, I would like to thank the Airline Ambassador Escort Program, Ms. Margaret Whitehead, Ms. Merely and others for such inspirational and dedicated program for needy children around the globe. More thanks to the American Airlines Personnel at New York’s JFK MOD, Ms. Claudette, Ms. Yota, Mr. Rick Taveras, the ticketing and gate personnel. Also, I want to thank the entire flight crew of flight 1749, for assisting me with Hector’s home coming flight.
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Rolando Vazquez escorts Hector home
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Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Sincerely and respectfully yours,
Rolando Vázquez
JFK Purser
Airlines Ambassador
Proud, UNICEF Champion for Children
skymanjfk@verizon.net
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