TRAVEL
Operation Get Walter Home COMPLETING THE MISSION
A t Southwest Airlines , we take pride in caring not only for our Employees who have served in the military but our Customers and their families as well . In light of the season of giving , family , and gratitude ,
A Hero ' s we want to Welcome
share the special journey of a fallen hero ’ s beloved cat , Walter , lovingly referred to as Operation Get Walter Home . Earlier this year , customer Suzi Way reached out to express her and her husband , Dana Way ’ s , appreciation for our employees who brought home her Navy son , Hospital Corpsman Third Class ( HM3 ) Jordan W . Way ’ s body with dignity and care . In her letter , she explained that Jordan ’ s cat would be making the journey home to them and wanted to share this with us because “ Southwest Airlines was with us from the beginning and now you all will help finish the mission of getting Walter home ”.
When our Customer Relations Department received Suzi ’ s letter , they sprang into action to honor their family . BWI Sr . Recruiter Gabriel Rios helped coordinate American and Naval
HM3 Jordan William Way Challenge Coin
Walter Way , the Cat flags , to welcome Suzi and show our support upon her arrival and Baltimore Flight Attendant Reecie Howard presented Suzi with a Marine Corps Base Quantico Naval Medical Clinic Flag on behalf of her son .
Walter , the beloved cat , honorably completed his tour with HM3 Jordan W . Way ’ s shipmates and made his final journey home to Baltimore where our employees promoted Walter to HM3 Walter Way and gave him an engraved nametag .
This homecoming would not have
Reecie Howard happened without
presents the help from our Flag to Suzi Day
Baltimore and San Diego Stations , Ground Operations , Inflight , and Customer Relations Departments . It was a huge team effort to welcome them home . We know that every customer who travels with us has their own story and we are grateful that the Way family shared theirs with us . This season , we are thankful for our employees , our customers , and all those who serve our country . apl
www . southwest . com
16 apetslifemagazine . com | WINTER 2021