I just realized that they dont show that anymore like they used to back in Vietnam and other wars. Anyone know why?
Just wondering. Seems like the people who made such a great sacrifice for their country should at least arrive home in plain day light for all americans to see them and honor them.
2007-12-12 17:01:31 · 14 answers · asked by ballerb j 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
These are the facts you seek:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A55816-2003Oct20?language=printer
2007-12-12 17:09:06 · answer #1 · answered by theypissonourbacksandsayitsrain 1 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Because the fallen should be granted some quiet dignity.
Out of respect for their families and loved ones.
Because the media made a circus of it.
Because the protesters all but danced on the coffins vomiting their anti-war, anti-military, anti-American, anti-just about everything rhetoric. Sheehan did just that to her own son's body.
Not all "Americans" want to honor them. Protesters are almost glad every time a soldier dies. It gives them grist for their mill.
What kind of "honor" do you have in mind? A parade? A party? Do you want the flag-draped coffins to be carried slowly across the US so that everybody can see? To what purpose?
Men and women die in the service to their country. That is their honor. They need none from the people. If the people wish to honor them, then just remember them as heroes. Walk the hallowed grounds at cemeteries on Veterans Day and Memorial Day and stop at the flag-marked graves and say a quiet, "Thank you." Maybe set up a flag that has fallen or been blown down by the wind. They'd want you to do that... not for them, but for the flag and the country it represents... the country for which they died.
2007-12-12 17:27:38 · answer #2 · answered by gugliamo00 7 · 7⤊ 2⤋
Bill Clinton signed an executive order that mandates the bodies of soldiers come home privately. The death of a soldier is a tragic thing and he was right to do this regardless of his reason. Families have enough grief to deal with when they lose a loved one. They don't need a damn reporter and a camera there to make a political statement over the body of their lost loved one.
2007-12-13 01:37:51 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By assumption, certain higher ups have feared doing so could be used by people in the anti-war movement.
I can't think of anything more dignified. A plane arrives in broad daylight, while men and women in uniform flank the coffin of their fallen comrade and provide an escort across the tarmac as a tribute and welcome to someone who has payed the highest price. All for the world to see.
Now compare that to a situation in which a planeload of bodies arrives, perhaps overnight, discretely turning over each casket to their respective funeral directors and distraught relatives sent to claim them, a macabre version of your typical airport baggage reclaiming.
2007-12-12 17:41:44 · answer #4 · answered by Gotta have more explosions! 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
To the people who say that its good they are kept out of sight cause americans would get fed up with the killings, .and want the war to end, isnt that what free speech and dissent are all about? Don't americans have a right to know all the 1 facts so they can make the right decisions on dissent and acceptance? By saying its ok for government to hide the coffins from the public and press, aren't you saying that you know its not popular so this is a way of getting around the lack of popularity and ram something down the people's throat that they otherwsise would object to?
Isn't there something rather unsavorarily fascist about this concept?
2007-12-12 17:24:41 · answer #5 · answered by sergbelxx 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋
I agree with you. But it seems that there are so many people these days that are anti-war, that they somehow also become anti-military. Regardless of what war they are fighting, or where they are fighting, our Military needs our support, our best wishes, and to be treated with honor upon their return, alive or otherwise. They are doing their job for Americans, for our freedom and for our future.
2007-12-12 17:10:16 · answer #6 · answered by Glenn T 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This has always been US policy. However, it was not followed. When Bush began enforcing it again, it became a conspiracy to hide casualties even thouse that want to show the pictures just want to make anti-war statements.
The policy is part of not showing remains until the family approves.
2007-12-12 19:42:55 · answer #7 · answered by mnbvcxz52773 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
"Now compare that to a situation in which a planeload of bodies arrives, perhaps overnight, discretely turning over each casket to their respective funeral directors and distraught relatives sent to claim them, a macabre version of your typical airport baggage reclaiming."
Not how it's handled.
One narrative of the return of a servicemember's body, written by the escorting officer, can be found at http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/takingchance
2007-12-12 18:02:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bush did not want the country to see the price we were paying in the wars and censored pictures of returning Hero's.
2007-12-12 23:59:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Military tries to handle the bodies of the Military deceased with as much respect and dignity as they deserve.
Using their bodies to make a political statement is hardly showing respect and dignity.
2007-12-12 17:31:11 · answer #10 · answered by Barry auh2o 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yes, they shoud be honored ... and not used as a publicity tool for the defeatists. They sacrificed everything for our Nation.
2007-12-12 17:07:05 · answer #11 · answered by gcbtrading 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋