Alabama House Republicans on Tuesday tapped Rep. Mac McCutcheon (R-Huntsville) to be the next Speaker of the House, setting him up to assume arguably the most powerful job in state politics when the legislature reconvenes in the coming weeks.

The looming special legislative session prompted the House GOP caucus to reconvene sooner than they would have otherwise, and the timing of the election was particularly tough for Mr. McCutcheon, who was preparing to leave the state on a wedding anniversary “bucket list” trip that had been planned for months, if not longer.

Everything ended up working out — Republicans met and elected Mr. McCutcheon their leader, and he was able to fly out shortly thereafter.

But it was a solemn moment during a whirlwind few days that compelled Alabama’s next House Speaker to share an update on his Facebook page.

Yesterday Debbie and I flew to Seattle to celebrate a “46 years of marriage” trip. We were excited and looking forward to it.

During the approach into Seattle the pilot told the passengers we had a fallen U.S. SOLDIER on board and his body was being taken home for burial. Not sure of the circumstances surrounding his death, the flag draped casket spoke volumes to us.

We were ask to stay seated while the honor guard and family got off of the plane. It was a sad moment! As we watched, the mother and the soldier’s young boys were standing in front of us. The mother was weeping and Deb put her arm around her. I tear up thinking about it.

I felt guilty at first because we were on a trip to celebrate and here stood a family that had suffered a great loss. As Deb and I walked away I felt a real sense of gratitude for my freedom. Freedom is not free there is a price that is paid and Deb and I just witnessed our freedom being paid in full.

It sounds like Mr. McCutcheon will be taking some perspective with him into one of the toughest jobs in the state.