The official start of summer has begun and also coincides with the longest day of the year. At ALPA, we’re ready for some sunshine and warmer temperatures. With new routes and endless vacation opportunities, our 60,000 pilots at 34 U.S. and Canadian airlines are prepared to help your summer take off.

Every June 14, the United States celebrates Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the country’s official flag. Throughout the years, the flag has been a symbol of freedom, patriotism and exceptionalism. In the aviation industry, it represents the high safety standards we demand here in the United States.

In honor of dads everywhere this Father’s Day, we’ve collected dad-themed “All in the Family” stories from ALPA members—first-person stories that truly showcase how the love of flying runs in the family. Happy Father’s Day!

Continuing ALPA’s commitment to keep flying safe, the world’s largest nongovernmental aviation safety organization brought together pilots, government, industry, and subject matter experts on May 31 to discuss the critical role that humans serve on the flight deck.

Nearly 10 years ago, Capt. Richard Rodriguez (Delta) casually published an article that he titled “Fallen Soldier” on his personal blog. He recounted a flight he piloted from Ontario, Calif., to Atlanta, Ga., with some honored guests—the remains of a U.S. soldier, his military escort, and his family—and the efforts the crews both on the ground and in the air put forth to ensure the needs of that soldier’s family were met with great respect.

“Fallen Soldier” went viral.