Student Choir Honors Captain's Last Flight With Beautiful Serenade
One student choir made a captain’s last flight a moment to remember with a sweet impromptu serenade. Ronald Smith has been an airline pilot with United Airlines for 32 years.
Today, he’s on a flight from Chicago to Brussels and it will be his very last as a pilot. Ronald is set to retire, but not before receiving one final send off that he never saw coming.
When the student choir of the LGE (Lycée des Garçons d'Esch-sur-Alzette) heard about the pilot’s retirement, they decided to honor him in the best way they knew possible.
After other passengers disembarked, the choir remained behind. When Ronald came out, they stood in a semi-circle and began to sing the words of ‘Viva La Vida’ from Coldplay.
“I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!”
This contemporary tune was given a complete makeover as these teens perform an a cappella serenade. As the crew gathered around, it was truly a moment of honor for this pilot.
Moments like this are far too fleeting and it was such a blessing to see these students take a pause from their day to show this act of kindness. We wish Captain Ronald all the best in his retirement.